Man linked to cocaine death appears in court

Sorlinda Aristizabal-Vega died in Auckland Hospital in September after one of the 20 packages of cocaine she had ingested split and leaked into her body. Photo / supplied

A New Zealander allegedly linked to a Columbian woman who died in Auckland when a condom full of cocaine exploded in her stomach has appeared in court.

Wanganui man Peter Leaitua, 40, was remanded on bail when he briefly appeared in Auckland District Court this morning,charged with importing cocaine.

He will appear before the court again next month.

He became a target of investigations by Argentine and New Zealand police after a woman believed to be his mother-in-law, Sorlinda Aristizabal-Vega, died.

Mrs Aristizabal-Vega was carrying more than 20 packages of cocaine, worth an estimated $120,000 to $190,000, in her stomach when she flew to New Zealand from Argentina in September.

She passed through Customs without any problems, but died in Auckland Hospital the following morning after one of the packages split and leaked into her body.

It is believed Mr Leaitua entered the country on the same flight.

He was wanted on drug charges by police in Argentina and was the subject of an Interpol Buenos Aires "red notice".

His arrest was not related to the Interpol notice but New Zealand authorities advised Interpol Buenos Aires after Mr Leaitua was located.