Latest fromNZ Customs Service
Woman accused of smuggling heroin into NZ
A South African woman who has been accused of importing heroin with a street value of $1.2 million has had a hospital bedside court hearing.
Man in court after mother-in-law's cocaine death
Less than 45 minutes after a Colombian woman was driven to Auckland Hospital's emergency department by Peter Phillip Leaitua, she was dead.
Over 70 phones tapped last year
Phone companies have revealed the extent of Govt agency spying on their networks, with more than 70 secret wire taps last year in New Zealand alone.
Cocaine stashed in pillow
A drug mule caught importing almost 1kg of cocaine in New Zealand found it too difficult to smuggle his haul inside him so instead sewed most of it into a travel pillow.
Drug mule jailed for six years
A Brazilian drug mule who stood to gain just over $20,000 for smuggling 2.35kg of cocaine through Auckland Airport has been jailed for six years.
Student jailed for online drug operation
A Palmerston North student who imported drugs he ordered online has been jailed for four years and 10 months.
Meth hidden in shampoo
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.
Why cocaine is rare in New Zealand
A criminologist says cocaine is unlikely to take a foothold in New Zealand despite a large shipment being intercepted in Auckland.
Abuse ring bust: 'Timing was crucial'
Timing was crucial in the busting of an alleged online child sexual abuse network, New Zealand authorities say.
Cocaine found stashed inside pillow
Two men have appeared in court today charged over the seizure of about 1kg of cocaine stashed inside a travel pillow and allegedly inside one of the men.
Evidence against Dotcom
A detailed account of the evidence against Kim Dotcom has been released by the FBI to allow so-called victims of alleged piracy to claim against his seized fortune.
Customs won't front on 'brownie points'
Customs has refused to answer questions about an email asking staff to send information on Kim Dotcom to the FBI in exchange for "brownie points".
Customs quiet on 'brownie points' case
The "secrets-for-brownie points" case has been escalated to Customs Minister Maurice Williamson - but he says it has nothing to do with him.
'Brownie points' for leaked info to FBI
A senior Customs official told colleagues in charge of highly personal information they could earn "brownie points"if they passed secrets to the FBI.
Traveller stripped of tech gear
A backpacker coming home for Christmas had every bit of electronic equipment stripped from him at the airport.
Global money laundering scams hit NZ
Business owners are being warned to watch out for overseas money laundering scams, which are targeting New Zealand's small businesses.
Home detention for party drug importer
A woman who imported more than 2kg of party drugs from the UK has been sentenced to 12 months' home detention.
First ivory trading conviction in NZ
A senior investigator says illegal ivory trading is increasing in New Zealand, as a retiree becomes the first person convicted of ivory trading under NZ law.
Customs destroys 700kg of drugs
More than 700kg of drugs were mixed with "putrid waste" yesterday before being cooked and disposed of by Customs.
Defence points finger at Zespri
A China importer says Zespri stood to gain more than it did by understating the value of kiwifruit for customs duty purposes.