Drug couriers wanted cash for new car, court hears

Police Minister Judith Collins looks at the evidence after six people were arrested for their alleged involvement in smuggling 6kg of methamphetamine, which was found at Auckland International Airport by customs. Photo / NZPA

A Japanese couple involved in smuggling nearly 6kg of methamphetamine into New Zealand did so because they wanted to buy a new car, a court has been told.

Takako and Kazuhiko Takiguchi were jailed for 7-1/2 years when sentenced in the High Court at Auckland today after earlier admitting two charges of importing methamphetamine, also known as P, and one of conspiracy to import methamphetamine.

Justice Ailsa Duffy said they must serve a minimum non-parole period of three years nine months.

Justice Duffy said the couple had agreed to act as couriers when approached about it in Japan "as a means of making money".

"It seems you became involved because although you were both working, you wanted to buy a new car," she said.

"You expected to earn $20,000, but you actually received less as a result of the fluctuating exchange rate.

"You also said it gave you an opportunity to visit New Zealand for the first time."

The Takiguchis twice acted as drug couriers, bringing in 2kg of methamphetamine into New Zealand.

They were not detected on the first occasion, in September 2009, but were caught by customs at Auckland Airport two months later.

They also recruited two other Japanese nationals, who have already been sentenced, to import a similar amount of methamphetamine.

Justice Duffy said in sentencing the couple, it was recognised that methamphetamine caused serious harm to many members of the community.

She told the Takiguchis a starting point of 16 years jail was appropriate for the offences.

But they were given a one year discount for their previous good record and the difficulties faced by foreigners in New Zealand prisons.

They were given a further discount of one-third for their early guilty pleas and a further discount for special circumstances which cannot be reported.

The one-third discount for the early guilty plea followed the guidelines set down by Court of Appeal decision in October last year.

The Supreme Court later today said the Court of Appeal inappropriately departed from the provisions of the Sentencing Act in introducing guidelines for a sliding scale for discounts for guilty pleas, and that discounts for an early guilty plea should not exceed 25 per cent of a sentence.

- NZPA