A 27-year-old woman has been arrested and charged after Customs seized 14 kilograms of methamphetamine at Auckland Airport.
The drugs, with a potential street value of up to NZ$5.25 million, were allegedly found in the woman’s luggage.
“The woman arrived in Auckland on a flight from Vancouver via Sydney last Wednesday and was referred to Customs for further questioning,” a statement said.
“Customs officers conducted a search of her baggage and found two sealed packages with crystal substances wrapped inside two towels, which border testing indicated was methamphetamine.”
The woman was travelling on a Canadian passport. She was charged with importing a Class A controlled drug and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.
Customs Auckland Airport manager Paul Williams said it was a “significant drug smuggling attempt”.
“This is another case of transnational criminal syndicates targeting individuals and exploiting them for their own greed and gain,” he said.
“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.”
Fourteen kilograms of methamphetamine would produce up to 700,000 individual doses, Customs said.
“This seizure is estimated to have stopped up to NZ$15.5 million harm to New Zealand communities and the economy.”
The woman has been remanded in custody to reappear in court on January 16.
