A drug courier with Ecstasy worth at least $3 million in a suitcase turned up at a Grey Lynn hotel as police were raiding one of the rooms.
Englishwoman Jane Alison Birak, 38, had more than 53,000 pills when she arrived by taxi at the Surrey Hotel.
Prosecutor Fletcher Pilditch told the jury at the High Court in Auckland that a police officer spotted Birak walk toward the room, which was being searched by police and customs officials. She then turned around and walked off the other way. She was stopped and the drugs were discovered.
Two Israelis, Aviv Atias, 26, and Ilan Ben-Abu, 31, are charged with being parties to the importation of the drugs, possession for supply and conspiracy to supply in November last year. Birak has been dealt with separately.
Mr Pilditch described Atias and Ben-Abu as "field marshals in an international drugs syndicate".
He said they came to New Zealand to supply the drug once the coast was clear and Birak was safely through Customs.
Birak arrived on November 20 last year. When Atias arrived eight days later, customs discovered his suitcase had a false bottom.
Although the compartment was empty, it was enough to arouse suspicion and he was followed by police when he left the airport.
Mr Pilditch said the three were photographed together. He said they were all connected, particularly through the "source", Ben Yoav, in Amsterdam.
David Jones, representing Atias, said his client was not involved in any criminal way with drugs.
Peter Kaye, representing Ben-Abu, said his client had nothing to do with the drugs and was not part of any international syndicate.
The trial before Justice Rhys Harrison, continues today.
Drug courier walked in on police raid, court told
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