More than $10 million worth of methamphetamine has been seized in the first two days of 2025 after three people allegedly tried smuggling it through the border.
In one incident, meth had been soaked into clothing to conceal it.
Customs saidtwo separate attempts at smuggling turned up about 27 kilograms of meth in luggage at Auckland International Airport.
Two men, a 33-year-old and a 39-year-old, arrived in the country on a flight from Toronto, Canada, on Wednesday.
Customs officers questioned them and searched their bags, finding20.44kg of meth in the 33-year-old’s suitcase. The bag tag was linked to the 39-year-old.
They were due in the Manukau District Court today charged with importing a Class A controlled drug. The 33-year-old faces a charge of possessing a Class A controlled drug for supply.
Customs said this drug seizure had an estimated value of $7.66m and avoided about $21.42m worth of harm to New Zealand’s communities and economy.
Last night, a 59-year-old woman unrelated to the two men arrived from Honolulu, US, and officers who searched her bag found her clothing was stiff to the touch. Border testing showed meth had been soaked into the fabric.
The woman was charged with importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug. She was also due before the Manukau District Court today.
The meth found weighed 6.8kg and would have had a “street value” of $2.57m, Customs said.
Customs’ Auckland International Airport manager Paul Williams said the arrests showed criminal organisations were trying to exploit the busy holiday period.
“Day three into the new year and Customs has already stopped approximately NZ$10.2 million worth of methamphetamine from causing harm in our communities,” Williams said.
“This is a result of the hard work of our frontline officers, supported by intelligence and targeting experts who have been working throughout the holiday season to identify and stop potential drug couriers.”
Williams asked travellers transiting airports to remain vigilant and report and suspicious activity to a Customs officer.
Anyone with information or suspicions about possible drug smuggling could contact Customs confidentially on 0800 937 768 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111 .
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
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