Granny caught in cocaine smuggling

A South African grandmother caught carrying more than three kilograms of cocaine hidden inside garden gnomes was found guilty of drug smuggling after a trial in the Auckland High Court in New Zealand. Linda Martin (52) denied the charge, claiming she had been framed by a Nigerian drug ring that put the four drug-filled gnomes into a suitcase she was carrying. She was arrested as she flew into Auckland's airport on a false passport in March 2004. She claimed she was trying to find a Nigerian drug lord called Peter who she wanted to question about her daughter Lindy who was arrested in London carrying drugs early in 2004. It was then that she embarked on a journey to find the man she believed was responsible for her daughter's situation. She flew from South America to New Zealand bound for Brisbane. She was given false passports and her suitcase was changed by Nigerians. Linda is to be sentenced next month.