7 Jun 2017

Drug accused thought he was money laundering, court told

12:32 pm on 7 June 2017

The lawyer for one of two men charged with importing 35kg of cocaine hidden inside a diamante encrusted statue has told a jury if his client's life was made into a TV series, it would be very boring.

The cocaine was found inside the head of the ornamental horse.

The cocaine was found inside the head of the ornamental horse. Photo: RNZ / Mani Dunlop

Ronald Cook Senior and Agustin Suarez-Juarez have pleaded not guilty to drugs charges in the High Court in Auckland.

Mr Cook's lawyer Sam Wimsett said his client believed the horse's head contained cash - not drugs.

He said Mr Cook believed he was money-laundering and was deeply ashamed of that.

But Mr Wimsett said his life - as a father of six and a grandfather - was nothing like the TV series Narcos.

He said his client worked as a sales representative for a hardware company.

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