A New Zealander rinsed suspected drug equipment in a sink as
he fended off police and customs agents trying to search his
cruise ship cabin, a US Department of Homeland Security
affidavit alleges.
Kiwis Tony Wilkinson, 42, and Kirsty Harris, 25, were
arrested along with Australian man Ahmed Rachid, in an
operation on a P&O liner docked at the Port of San
Francisco, said US customs officials.
The search, carried out by a multi-agency taskforce on
January 25, allegedly uncovered about 13kg of cocaine,
including 5.7kg in a cabin shared by Wilkinson and Harris.
An affidavit from Immigration and Customs enforcement agent
Craig Hyatt reveals a criminal investigation into the alleged
discovery of 7kg of cocaine in Rachid's cabin led to the Kiwi
pair's arrests.
Investigating officers decided to search their cabin after
crew members told them about an "altercation'' between Rachid
and Harris, the affidavit said.
When they arrived, they found Wilkinson holding what appeared
to be drug paraphernalia, it said.
"Wilkinson then attempted to shut the cabin door on the
officers while simultaneously opening the cabin bathroom door
temporarily blocking the main cabin door.
"Agents heard the bathroom (tap) turn on and observed
Wilkinson rinsing what appeared to be drug paraphernalia in
the sink.''
Mr Hyatt said Wilkinson and Harris were detained and removed
from the cabin.
Agents then found keys in a light fixture which opened a
suitcase inside the cabin, the affidavit said.
"Upon opening the black Pelican case, officers and agents
discovered several packages of an unknown substance which
later field-tested positive for cocaine.''
Both Wilkinson and Harris were arrested and charged with
possession with intent to distribute more than 5kg of
cocaine.
A spokesman for the US Attorney's Office in California said
he would not comment on the ongoing case.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it has offered
consular assistance to the New Zealanders but would not say
if they were in custody.
Wilkinson, Harris and Rachid were understood to have been
aboard the Aurora during a world cruise and had arrived in
San Francisco from Curacao, a Caribbean Island.
A P&O Cruises spokesman said he could not comment on an
ongoing investigation.
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