Convicted drug runner appealing
A woman who was jailed for 27 years for her role in relation to New Zealand’s largest seizure of methamphetamine, in the Far North in 2016, is appealing her conviction and sentence.
Selaima Fakaosilea admitted her role in money laundering and distribution of meth across the country, and was jailed for 14 years and six months, on top of the 12 years six months imposed earlier on the lead charge of importing meth.
She had denied having any role in smuggling the 500kg of meth, valued at the time at up to $150 million, some of which was found in dunes behind 90 Mile Beach, and the bulk in a camper van at Totara North.
The consignment was discovered, and arrests made, largely thanks to the suspicions of a number of Ahipara residents and the quick thinking of a young Kaitaia police officer who stopped the camper van.
The Court of Appeal was to have heard Fakaosilea’s appeal against conviction and sentence in April, but the Covid-19 lockdown saw it rescheduled for November 9.
The High Court heard at Fakaosilea’s trial that she went by the alias Blaze, and was arrested during the second police investigation, codenamed Operation Virunga, that began with a wire tap on telephone communications she has had with others.
She was subsequently caught supplying 14.9kg of meth and 1.9kg of cocaine to Adrian Le’Ca, a patched member of the Thailand chapter of the Bandidos gang. Over a period of three weeks she was also seen handing over suitcases holding $3.5 million, to be laundered overseas.
Fakaosilea, along with Stevie
Norua Cullen, was found guilty by a jury after five weeks of evidence in the High Court at Whanga¯ rei in June last year. Cullen was jailed for 27 years for his role in the importation of meth.
Fakaosilea’s brother Ulakai admitted taking part in the meth import, along with five others, and was jailed for 22 years, nine months.