A woman has been caught with over $5 million worth of methamphetamine in her suitcase at Auckland Airport.
The woman, 27, landed in Auckland on a flight from Vancouver on October 30, a Customs spokesperson said.
She was referred to Customs for further questions, anda baggage search by officers found two sealed packages of meth wrapped in towels, totalling 14kg.
That’s enough for 700,000 individual doses, worth up to $5.25m in street value, and has an estimated cost of over $15m in harm to New Zealand, the spokesperson said.
Customs found 14kg of methamphetamine worth $5m in a Canadian's suitcase. Photo / NZ Customs
Customs Auckland Airport manager, Paul Williams, said it’s a case of individuals being targeted and exploited by transnational criminal syndicates.
“Our message to anyone who thinks this is easy money - don’t do it. Don’t be a pawn in their game. Your chances of making money balanced against your chances of getting caught mean the risk isn’t worth it.
“I commend our front-line officers and support teams, who all played their part to protect our borders.”
