Import charges follow $800,000 Ecstasy haul

A 26-year-old Japanese man has been charged with importing 10,000 Ecstasy tablets worth up to $800,000 after being stopped by Customs at Auckland International Airport.

The seizure showed international drug syndicates were still operating through New Zealand, said Customs manager of drug investigations Simon Williamson.

He said the seizure was a significant find, with the drugs having a street value of up to $800,000.

"We attribute this seizure to a transnational drug trafficking syndicate and we are continuing to see significant seizures made," Mr Williamson said.

In the year to June 30, Customs made 73 seizures of large quantities of drugs destined for New Zealand, he said.

Every 12 months Customs officers stopped about 1300 people found in possession of drugs.

The Japanese man, a first-time visitor to New Zealand, had flown from Europe and through South Korea before arriving in New Zealand on October 6.

Customs officers stopped him, searched his bag and found the 10,000 tablets in a false bottom of his suitcase.

He is due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Friday charged with importing a class B controlled drug and possessing a class B controlled drug for the purposes of supply.

Mr Williamson said most Ecstasy and other methamphetamines were coming into New Zealand via Europe while crystal methamphetamine was coming mainly from Asia.

He said New Zealand had been seen as a transit point for bigger markets, but more drugs landed here were now intended for the local market.

"In this particular case we are trying to determine where [the drugs] were intended to end up. Needless to say, often the drugs that are being landed here are destined for the New Zealand market."