WELLINGTON: A New Zealand woman was warned not to unwittingly fall in with drug peddlers about a month before narcotics were found in her luggage at Melbourne Airport, a court has heard.
Customs officers warned Suzanne Louise Mills, 57, in January when they saw that she was preparing to travel to Africa, Melbourne Magistrates Court was told on today.
Mills postponed her trip and returned to New Zealand, but later rebooked and went to Africa to see her “benefactor”.
She was intercepted at Melbourne Airport on February 27 and preliminary testing of a substance found in the handles of her suitcases was positive for methamphetamine.
Barrister Serge Petrovich said Mills consistently denies any knowledge that the drugs were in her possession.
The court heard she was calm and co-operative with Customs officers when they approached and questioned her in Melbourne, and only became upset and appeared shocked when she was told of the positive drug reading.
There were no fingerprints on the bags.
Mills plead not guilty to one count of importing and one of possessing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.
She has been remended in custody and will reappear for trial on August 24 in the County Court of Victoria.
