A woman has been arrested at Auckland Airport after Customs discovered 4kg of cocaine hidden in her luggage.
The 25-year-old had arrived from Santiago, Chile, and had been referred for a baggage search.
Customs said officers found the drugs concealed in the suitcase panelling.
“She faces charges for importing and possessing a class A controlled drug with intent to supply.”
Customs chief officer Ben Wells said: “Organised crime uses various methods to smuggle drugs. This concealment was intricate, and our officers’ training and persistence led to its discovery.”
If sold in retail amounts, Customs said the cocaine would have been worth approximately $1.55 million, and its removal has prevented up to $1.49 million in social harm and cost to New Zealand.
