The court heard the now 27-year-old was part of a crime syndicate which also involved his mother.

The group imported several packages containing methamphetamine and cocaine into New Zealand between February 2021 and February 2022.

The joint investigation between the New Zealand Police and the New Zealand Customs Service, known as Operation Baliseized a quantity of methamphetamine hidden in a picture of the Virgin Mary and another stash discovered in a sheet steel compactor.

The court heard that other packages, addressed to union members, were hidden inside a wooden table, a metal wheel and a sausage grill. The packages contained a total of 28 kg of methamphetamine and 5 kg of cocaine.

“You had a leading role in the syndicate,” Judge Helen McQueen told Galicia Romero.

She said he was responsible for 3.5kg of the syndicate’s total Class A drugs, which were hidden in six packages, along with $63,000 in cash that was found at his home.

He was under house arrest for other serious drug offenses.

Galicia Romero’s attorney, Janine Bonifant, sought discounts for his difficult upbringing, addiction to cocaine and alcohol, the impact of prison on both him and his young son, and for remorse.

The court heard Galicia Romero arrived in New Zealand from Colombia as part of the refugee family reunification program in 2013, joining family members who had settled here two years earlier. His partner arrived in 2019 and his son was born in 2021.

A sentencing report described how, as a child, Galicia Romero was encouraged by his immediate family to participate in crime and “lived in a context of crime, violence and the message that only through illegal activity can people rise above poverty.”

Another report writer concluded that Galicia Romero was at high risk of reoffending given his continued offending since arriving in New Zealand.

In an affidavit, Galicia Romero’s partner said she was on a work visa and therefore ineligible for welfare. He also had no family support to take care of their young son. She feared Galicia Romero would be deported at the end of her sentence, but said she was in danger if she returned to Colombia.

Crown prosecutor Rachel Buckman said some credit was needed for Galicia Romero’s personal circumstances, but that had to be balanced against the seriousness of the crime. The Crown did not ask for a minimum prison term.

Judge McQueen said she was satisfied his background contributed to his offending and impaired his judgement.

“However, your misconduct is serious and it is also obvious and accepted by you that you were motivated by financial gain.”

In a letter to the court, Galicia Romero expressed deep remorse for his actions. He said that at the time it was wrong, but since then it has grown and changed.

Galicia Romero said his main goal is to provide a better life for his wife and child through honest and legal means.

Judge McQueen said he accepted his remorse was genuine.

“However, you have previous Class A drug offense convictions and it was a very short time before you were involved in the current offense and you told the PAC (pre-sentence) report writer that you were involved while on home detention. “

Judge McQueen imposed a final sentence of six years and nine months in prison, taking into account Galicia Romero’s guilty plea and his personal circumstances.

Catherine Hutton is an Open Justice reporter based in Wellington. She has worked as a journalist for 20 years, including at the Waikato Times and RNZ. Most recently, she worked as a media advisor at the Ministry of Justice.