NZ cocaine accused maintains her innocence

Friends and family of Sharon Armstrong are concerned for the cocaine accused's health. Photo / Supplied

A terrified Sharon Armstrong, arrested in Argentina almost two weeks ago trying to board a plane with 5kg of cocaine hidden in a suitcase, maintains her innocence despite reports she was caught with multiple driver's licences.

Ms Armstrong, 54, a former Maori Language Commission deputy chief executive, was arrested on April 13 after Buenos Aires Airport police allegedly found the cocaine hidden in her suitcase.

Ms Armstrong has said she did not know about the drugs and was tricked by a man she met online.

She is being held in a medium-security women's detention centre in Ezeiza, about 30km south west of Buenos Aires, and was expected to make her first court appearance this week.

Speaking to NZPA from jail today (NZ time), Ms Armstrong said she needed help but was reluctant to talk about her case because she feared for her safety.

"I'm just a little bit concerned that this might be a lot bigger. I've never been involved in anything like this ever before."

She refused to name the man who she says scammed her.

"I'm not wanting to protect him, but I'm not prepared to name any names for fear of any retribution."

Ms Armstrong denied reports she was carrying four driver's licences when arrested.

She told NZPA she had three licences - New Zealand, Australian, and Cook Islands - with her at the time.

She said the Australian licence was for when she visited family, and the $10 Cook Islands licence had expired.

"Those are the only licences I have. Someone from inside the police must have given this information and that really concerns me.

"I'm not a criminal. This information is wrong."

She would not comment further. "You need to understand that I might not be safe," Ms Armstrong said crying.

She was adamant that she played no part in the drug smuggling.

"I did not know that I had that (the drugs) on me. I didn't know."

She said her time at the detention centre had been difficult, but her family and friends were giving her strength.

Staff from the New Zealand Embassy in Buenos Aires had visited her in prison and had given her a Spanish dictionary, magazines and writing paper so she could write a journal.

The embassy would continue to liaise with Argentine authorities and Ms Armstrong's family.

A former colleague of Ms Armstrong earlier told NZPA friends and family were concerned about her health.

Ms Armstrong had been hospital with heart problems about a year ago and had also had breathing problems, former chief executive of the Maori Language Commission, Haami Piripi said.

"We are very anxious to make sure that she gets the medications for her health problems," Mr Piripi said.

Close friends and family were setting up a defence fund to help her in what could be a long legal process, he said.

Some family and friends had planned to travel over to Argentina but had been advised they would not be able to visit her until the authorities gave the all clear.

He said Ms Armstrong was living a "lonely existence" and her friends were working on finding a way of communicating with her "to help her keep her sanity".

- NZPA