A French cruise passenger allegedly found in possession of 24 kg of cocaine in Paihia on Wednesday, December 20, has fronted court today.
No pleas have been taken when 26-year-old Alexander Steeve Yelengwe Yonkwa-Dingom briefly appeared in Whangarei District Court. The man was charged with possession for supply of a class A drug, and has been remanded in custody, to re-appear on January 12, 2018.
According to court documents, he hails from Pau, a city located in south-western France.
The cocaine Customs and police seized was worth up to US$10.8 million.
The charge carries maximum penalty of life in prison.