A first-time visitor to New Zealand could swap a hotel room for a jail cell after Customs officers found 2.3kg of methamphetamine hidden in a false bottom suitcase.
The 44-year-old foreign national arrived on a flight from Thailand on Saturday, and was arrested after x-rays led to the discovery of a white crystalline substance.
Customs Investigations manager Bruce Berry said the arrest was testament to the work carried out by Customs.
"In this instance, the passenger was questioned during a routine baggage search where the Customs officer established enough from the interaction to warrant further examination."
Berry said methamphetamine is a "main choice" for drug syndicates because New Zealand demands a high price, making it a desirable market for criminals.
