Millions in meth concealed in shampoo

3.3 kilograms of methamphetamine was hidden in skincare and shampoo bottles.

Methamphetamine with a street value of up to $3.3 million and stashed in skincare and shampoo bottles, has been intercepted by Customs and police.

The 3.3 kilograms of meth had been posted into the country from Hong Kong, Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Parmenter said.

Customs officers at Auckland's International Mail Centre intercepted nine bottles of skincare product that contained traces of methamphetamine, on March 5.

The drug had been cleverly concealed but was not beyond Customs' detection by it various operational techniques, Mr Parmenter said.

"An individual or group of individuals went to a lot of effort to try and smuggle the methamphetamine into New Zealand without being detected.''

Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) and Customs officers launched a surveillance operation to track the intended path of the shipment, he said.

A second consignment containing 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine, also hidden in shampoo bottles, was intercepted by Customs at the mail centre.

The methamphetamine had been cleverly concealed but this was not beyond Customs' detection by it various operational techniques.

In total, the 3.3 kilograms of methamphetamine seized during the operation had a street value of up to $3.3 million, Mr Parmenter said.

Customs manager investigations Maurice O'Brien said the seizure was a very good example of Customs traditional work at the border and the operation raised the level of co-operation between Customs and OFCANZ.

"There are noticeable efficiencies to be gained in continuing to combine our resources and expertise to mitigate the risk that importation of illicit controlled drugs poses to our community by international criminals.''

Yesterday a 39-year-old appeared at Manukau District Court charged with a number of drug related offences including Possession of a Class A Controlled Drug for Supply.

A 24-year-old Chinese national was also charged with a range of offences including Importing a Class A Controlled Drug.

A third defendant, a 22-year-old Chinese national, had also been charged with Possession of a Class A Controlled Drug for Supply.