Family explain accused drug smuggler's licences

Sharon Armstrong. Photo / Supplied

Accused drug smuggler Sharon Armstrong carried multiple drivers licences because of her overseas travels, her family say.

The 54-year-old took out Australian and Rarotongan licences while doing contract work in those countries, her foster mother Jean Ruakere said.

She also held two New Zealand drivers licences in her own name.

Ms Ruakere, who raised Ms Armstrong after her parents died when she was a child, said: "Lots of people carry several drivers licences. There is nothing sinister about that.

"Sharon's work has taken her all over the world. She needed those drivers licences to carry out her work."

Ms Armstrong is accused of trying to board a flight on April 13 from the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, to London carrying more than 5kg of cocaine.

Airport police found the cocaine in the false bottom of a locally made suitcase.

Ms Armstrong, 54, a former Maori Language Commission deputy chief executive, is being held in a medium-security women's detention centre in Ezeiza, about 30km southwest of Buenos Aires, and is expected to make her first court appearance this week.

Speaking from jail yesterday, Ms Armstrong said she needed help but was reluctant to talk about her case as 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 prepared to name any names for fear of any retribution."

She said she had three licences - New Zealand, Australian and Cook Islands - with her at the time. The Australian licence was for when she visited family and the $10 Cook Islands licence had expired, she said.

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

"I did not know that I had [the drugs] on me. I didn't know."

Staff from the New Zealand Embassy in Buenos Aires have visited Ms Armstrong in prison.