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Two passengers were arrested yesterday, February 3, after New Zealand Customs Service officers intercepted 36 kilograms of methamphetamine at Auckland International Airport.
A 25-year-old Australian national and a 23-year-old New Zealander were charged with importing a Class A controlled drug and were due to appear in the Manukau District Court today.
“The pair travelled together on a flight from Singapore and were referred for a baggage search during border processing,” a statement from New Zealand Customs said.
On examination, officers found both passengers’ suitcases contained identical contents, vacuum-sealed bags wrapped in towels and concealed inside green tea packaging.
Each suitcase contained about 18 kilograms of methamphetamine, made up of approximately 18 vacuum-sealed packets per bag, bringing the combined total seized to 36 kilograms.
‘Not worth the risk’
Chief Customs Officer Compliance and Enforcement Ben Wells said the case highlighted how young people were being drawn into serious organised crime.
“This is another case of young people being lured into a very dangerous criminal world with the promise of fast money,” Wells said.
“Make no mistake, it is not worth the risk. Bringing illegal drugs into the country only lines the pockets of transnational, serious organised crime syndicates, while those doing the footwork carry the very heavy weight of the crime.”
Wells said the interception demonstrated the vigilance of Customs staff at the border.
“This intercept is another example of the careful attention our targetters and officers at the airport pay to travellers, which has now prevented over $37 million of social harm reaching our communities.”
According to the National Drug Intelligence Bureau, 36 kilograms of methamphetamine is equivalent to an estimated 1.8 million doses.
If sold in retail amounts, the seized methamphetamine would have an estimated street value of $10.8 million.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity is encouraged to contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
