A man who admits his part in a drug deal but says he was forced to help because of death threats against his family has been jailed.
Ifeanyi Akulue was convicted of conspiring to supply a class A drug after meeting a drug mule who flew from South Africa carrying up to $500,000 worth of methamphetamine.
Akulue had earlier appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking to avoid a trial.
He said a cousin in Nigeria had threatened to kidnap his family members there and kill them one by one if he didn't take part in the deal.
However, the Supreme Court ruled he must stand trial, and he pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy.
In the Auckland District Court on Friday morning, Judge Kiernan sentenced Akulue to five years and ten months in prison without a minimum period.
Akulue's lawyer says they won't be appealing against the sentence.
