A woman attempting to smuggle meth-soaked clothing through Auckland Airport is among three alleged drug couriers arrested this week in operations that netted drugs worth more than $10 million, authorities say.
The 59-year-old was arrested last night when border officers allegedly discovered clothing items stiff with absorbed methamphetamine in her baggage.
The estimated weight of the suspected meth found, including the clothes, was 6.87kg.
Over the past two days, Customs officers have seized an estimated 27kgs of meth from two separate smuggling incidents.
Auckland Airport customs manager Paul Williams said the unrelated incidents highlighted ongoing attempts to exploit the busy holiday travel 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,” he 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.”
Canada flight linked to first seizure
The woman’s arrest followed a seizure on Wednesday where officers discovered 20.44kg of methamphetamine from a suitcase, which allegedly arrived on a flight from Toronto.
“A 33-year-old man and a 39-year-old man arrived in Auckland on a flight originating from Toronto, Canada, on Wednesday January 1,” a spokesperson for the agency said.
“Customs officers conducted questioning and a search of their baggage, and the 33-year-old was found in possession of an estimated 20.44 kilograms of methamphetamine in his checked-in suitcase.
“The bag tag on this suitcase was linked to the 39-year-old man.”
The two men are due to appear in Manukau District Court today charged with importation of a Class A controlled drug. The 33-year-old will also be charged with possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.
Woman arrived on flight from Honolulu
In the other unrelated seizure of methamphetamine in the past week, Customs said the woman arrived on a flight from Honolulu, Hawaii.
The woman was referred to border officers for questioning.
“Customs officers also searched her baggage and found clothing that was stiff to the touch. Border testing indicated the presence of methamphetamine, which had been soaked into the clothing,” a spokesperson for the agency alleged.
“The woman was arrested and charged with the importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.”
She is due to appear in the Manukau District Court today.
