Police say they are "extremely pleased" following the sentencing of Jonah Lomu's 'niece' for New Zealand's largest-ever meth bust.
Selaima Fakaosilea was a first-cousin-once-removed of Lomu, although she referred to him as "uncle", Stuff reports.
She was convicted of importing meth and participating in an organised criminal group over her role in a group which attempted to bring in 501kg of meth through Northland's Ninety Mile Beach in 2016.
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On Wednesday she was given a sentence of 12 years and six months, with a minimum parole period of seven years. This is a cumulative sentence to the 14 years and six months she is currently serving for another offence.
Fellow group member Stevie Cullen was sentenced to 27 years in prison, with a minimum period of imprisonment of nine years, on the import charge. On the charge of participating in an organised criminal group, he was sentenced to five years in jail, to be served concurrently. Another six men have already been convicted and sentenced.
Following the sentencing, Detective Senior Sergeant Lloyd Schmid said it was a "great outcome".
"We are extremely pleased to be able to hold these criminals to account," he says.
"These offenders are motivated by financial greed and have absolutely no regard for the devastation and harm that this drug causes to addicts and vulnerable people in our community.
"We will continue to do everything we can to disrupt meth supply chains and prevent further harm in our community.
"We hope this result sends a strong message to criminals that the consequences for this type of drug offending are extremely serious and you will be arrested and held to account."
Schmid also thanked police, customs and the public for their role in bringing these criminals to justice.
"I want to acknowledge the local community in the Kaitaia area who witnessed unusual behaviour and notified police," he says.
"They could tell there was illegal activity taking place and they were not going to tolerate this offending in their own community."
He says police will continue to do everything they can to disrupt meth supply chains and prevent further harm in the community.
Newshub.
