Cocaine seizure at Auckland Airport

Three Australians have been arrested after customs officers intercepted what they say is a significant amount of cocaine at Auckland Airport.

Half a kilo of the drug was found in liquid suspension in three sealed perfume bottles.

The two men and a woman, all from Sydney, have been charged with importing a Class A controlled drug, possessing it for supply and attempting to export it.

The arrests come after a joint Customs and Auckland Police Drug Squad operation on Wednesday.

Customs spokesman Simon Williamson said the cocaine intercepted was believed to be destined for Australia.

He said: "We're just seeing a repeat pattern of what we believe has been going on for some time, that New Zealand is being used as a transit point particularly for cocaine shipments going on to Australia."

Mr Williamson believes greed is the motivating factor.

- NEWSTALK ZB