New details on how NZ cocaine accused was tricked

Sharon Armstrong. Photo / Supplied

Fresh details of how Sharon Armstrong was tricked into attempting to traffic 5 kilograms of cocaine have emerged in the Argentinian press today.

Tabloid newspaper Clarin devoted two pages to the explain the "complicated" case of Armstrong, who was arrested at Buenos Aires airport on April 13 with the drugs concealed in her suitcase.

Under the headline "She says that her love tricked her and now she is in jail for drugs", the popular newspaper described her as the first person to write a Maori dictionary.

It carried pictures of her before arrest, and a police-issued photo after her arrest showing her looking despondent.

The paper revealed that she was supposed to celebrate her 55th birthday with her online lover on a romantic blind date in London.

Clarin's police reporter wrote: "What she did during the week she remained in the city is something that she did not want to talk much.

"The truth is that on Wednesday April 13 1215, when she was about to take the British Airways flight 244 bound for London, was arrested at Ezeiza Airport Security Police (PSA).

"A routine scan of the bag revealed that it had shipped in the luggage had been hidden (very roughly, in a double bottom) three packages with an organic substance. The end result of the inspection it was determined that 5 kilos and 135 grams of cocaine, valued on the European market more than 150,000 euros."

Crucial to Armstrong's chances of receiving a lenient sentence will be what she told Customs officials about the suitcase which contained 5.135kgs concealed.

It said: "When assessing the legal situation the key will be her explanation of how the bag came to be in her hands. Was it really yours? Did she switch bags? Did a friend of his virtual love he gave in Buenos Aires with an excuse? For now, Sharon does not want to talk about this with the press."

In an opinion piece accompanying the article, Hector Gambini wrote that her story was believable.

"In New Zealand no one seems to doubt the women, a well respected academic and cultural.

"It is likely that she met someone online and agreed with him a romantic blind date in London.

"So is that your virtual lover has been asked to, as she travelled, pass through Buenos Aires to pick up a bag for him."

Gambini said that her suspicion was not as great as the adrenaline generated by the impending meeting with her "enamorado virtual".

The paper said she is facing a charge of drug smuggling which carries a term of between 6 and 16 years in jail.

It is the first coverage Armstrong's case has received in the mainstream Argentinian press.

She is currently being held in the Ezaiza women's medium detention centre awaiting a court appearance.

Between 2006 and 2010, the Airport Security Police arrested 762 "mules", mainly at the Buenos Aires International Airport.

There were 158 Argentinians, 137 Spanish - by far the most common nationalities.

There were also mules from Bolivia, Paraguay, South Africa, Peru, Italy, and the Netherlands.

The paper said traffickers now prefer to use mules to transport the drug.