Two Kiwis charged in drugs plot

Two new Zealanders are accused of being part of a plot to smuggle 500kg of cannabis worth almost $12.5 million into Australia.

They were allegedly among a syndicate busted by police from Australia and Papua New Guinea this week.

Patrick Laurence Barr, 29, was released on bail when he appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court this week charged with conspiracy to import drugs.

He was forced to surrender his passport, ordered to report to police station each Monday and Friday and told not to try to leave Australia.

A 27-year-old New Zealander, who has not been named, is also charged with conspiracy to import drugs and with money laundering.

The arrests came after Australian Federal Police and customs officials raided a property last Saturday and seized cannabis cultivating equipment. At the same time, police in Papua New Guinea discovered 18.9kg of cannabis allegedly bound for Australia.