$22m meth haul at Auckland Airport

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A drug haul valued at $22 million has been intercepted at Auckland Airport, in the second biggest border seizure in New Zealand's history.

Police and Customs intercepted 22.6kg of methamphetamine hidden in the cargo of an international flight from Taiwan.

Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Parmenter from the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand said the seizure which was code-named Operation Georgie took place on December 5.

"This is the second largest border seizure in New Zealand history," Mr Parmenter said.

"We estimate the methamphetamine intercepted during Operation Georgie would have a street value of over $22 million.

"In 2006 police and Customs intercepted 95kg of methamphetamine during a joint operation at Auckland Airport. This is our biggest border seizure since then."

Customs investigations manager Maurice O'Brien said: "These criminals took a big risk and went to a lot of effort to try and smuggle the drugs undetected, but Customs officers and systems are alert to such shipments.

"I'm pleased that a very large quantity of harmful drugs will not be for sale on our streets these holidays, and the criminal syndicate will have an unhappy Christmas."

Two Taiwanese nationals have been arrested since the drugs were intercepted and charged with importing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for supply.

They have been remanded in custody and are due to reappear in Manukau District Court in April.