Pubdate: Fri, 14 Nov 2003
Source: New Zealand Herald (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2003 New Zealand Herald
Contact:  http://www.nzherald.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/300
Author: New Zealand Press Association
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TRIO JAILED OVER ECSTASY IMPORTATION

Two Israeli men and an Englishwoman have been jailed in connection
with one of the biggest ecstacy importations into New Zealand.

Aviv Atias, aged 26, and Ilan Ben-Abu, aged 31, were each sentenced to
8-1/2 years by Justice Rhys Harrison at the High Court in Auckland
today.

They were convicted of being parties to the possession for supply of
more than 53,000 pills and conspiracy to supply the drug in November
last year.

An Englishwoman, 38-year-old Jane Alison Birak, who pleaded guilty to
charges of importing the drug, conspiracy to supply and possession for
supply was sentenced to seven years.

The drugs were worth between $3 and $5 million.

Birak managed to get the drugs through Customs, but suspicions were
raised when Atias later came through the airport with a briefcase with
a false bottom.

Though the hidden compartment was empty, the police tailed Atias after
he left the airport.

The trio were arrested at a Grey Lynn motel.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake