His lawyer Ron Mansfield says he is fighting for his client s immediate release. “He should not spend a day longer in custody. It’s their fault he has become an overstayer but all he wants is to see his wife and daughter.” He said Cherushev had been “broken” by the process and any delay in getting him home to Russia would be further punishment.
David White/Stuff
Aleksandr Cherushev has been found not guilty of importing and supplying cocaine. On Monday, a jury cleared Cherushev and found Lukasik and Wilk guilty, following over five hours of deliberations over two days.
Bastion Pt cocaine drama: Russian sailor acquitted, but Polish men guilty
10 May, 2021 03:03 AM
3 minutes to read
Ryszard Wilk. Crown prosecutor Brian Dickey claims Wilk s nickname was Richie and he was a drug ring boss. Photo / Interpol
Ryszard Wilk. Crown prosecutor Brian Dickey claims Wilk s nickname was Richie and he was a drug ring boss. Photo / Interpol
Two Polish men have been found guilty of importing cocaine but a Russian sailor cleared his name as jurors reached verdicts today in the Bastion Pt cocaine trial.
Sailor Aleksandr Cherushev was expected to leave custody for the first time in nearly two years, after jurors found him not guilty of importing or supplying cocaine.
The catcher in the Ryszard Wilk cocaine case: Bastion Pt drug trial jury out
7 May, 2021 04:53 AM
3 minutes to read
All three accused men in the cocaine trial must now wait for the jury s verdicts. Photo / File
All three accused men in the cocaine trial must now wait for the jury s verdicts. Photo / File
The identity of people in messages dredged up at the Bastion Point drug trial could be pivotal to deciding the fate of three accused cocaine importers.
Russian sailor Aleksandr Cherushev and Polish men Ryszard Wilk and Patryk Lukasz Lukasik have pleaded not guilty to importing cocaine.
Jurors have heard Ralph Wilk, son of Ryszard, previously pleaded guilty to a cocaine supply charge.
Edward Gay13:01, May 06 2021
David White/Stuff
Aleksandr Cherushev, left, Ryszard Wilk, middle, and Patryk Lukasz Lukasik, right, with translators in the dock at the High Court in Auckland (composite image).
A man accused of importing cocaine was actually involved in importing bananas, his lawyer says.
Aleksandr Cherushev, Patryk Lukasz Lukasik and Ryszard Wilk are on trial in the High Court in Auckland, where they have denied charges including importing and supplying cocaine, conspiracy to supply and money laundering.
Crown prosecutor Brian Dickey alleged Cherushev, a Russian sailor, brought 4kg of cocaine to New Zealand while working on the international container ship Discovery Bay in 2016.