Doomed drug smuggler travelling with children

Sorlinda Vega. Photo / Supplied

The Colombian drug smuggler who died after a condom full of cocaine burst in her stomach was travelling with five relatives including two children aged 2 and 5.

Sorlinda Vega, 37, died of a heart attack after one of 26 packages of cocaine she had carried internally from Argentina to Auckland split.

It is understood the 20g dose of cocaine would have been ingested immediately and was not survivable.

She went into cardiac arrest and, despite a "vigorous resuscitation" effort, she could not be revived.

Her death has been referred to the coroner and police are investigating.

Ms Vega arrived in Auckland from Buenos Aires on Tuesday morning.

She was travelling with two women and a man as well as the two children.

The group were staying at a motel in Auckland and police said they had come to New Zealand for a holiday.

The man dropped Ms Vega off at Auckland City Hospital's emergency department at 5.44am on Wednesday. He then left to ensure the children were okay. Ms Vega was declared dead 37 minutes later.

The man returned to the hospital and was there when police were called.

The packets of cocaine were discovered during a post mortem examination and police are working to find out why Ms Vega was carrying the drug, where the cocaine was supposed to end up and whether anyone else was involved.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard said he was awaiting further information about Ms Vega from authorities in South America.

He said she was travelling on a Colombian passport and had not lived in New Zealand.