Customs officers at Auckland International Airport seized more than 52 kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine over the weekend, once again thwarting two smuggling attempts in quick succession.
In the first intercept, approximately 50 kilograms of methamphetamine was found in two unaccompanied bags on a flight from San Francisco, USA. The bags were located by Customs officers while conducting routine activity.
In the second intercept, 2 kilograms of cocaine was found concealed in the lining of a passenger's suitcases. The 24-year-old foreign national arrived in Auckland on a flight from Santiago, Chile. After investigations by Customs officers, he was charged with the importation and possession for supply of a Class A Controlled drug.
It is estimated the amount of methamphetamine and cocaine seized on the weekend would have had a combined street value of up to NZ$19.7 million and caused around NZ$54 million in potential harm and cost to New Zealand.
Acting Customs Auckland Airport Manager, Ben Wells, says these latest seizures, combined with the 25 kilograms seized on 8 April, take the total drugs seized at the airport in under a week to approximately 78 kilograms.
"This demonstrates the need for constant vigilance, information-sharing, and networking across the aviation sector," says Mr Wells. "It's a combined effort to keep illicit drugs out of New Zealand communities and stop criminals from cultivating user demand."
He says Customs will continue to work across the industry to secure the supply chain, and act swiftly to identify and stop risks as part of its focus on protecting the border.
Everyone can help play a role in protecting New Zealand's border and communities from illicit drugs through keeping an eye out for suspicious activity.
You can raise any suspicions with a Customs officer at the airport or call 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) in confidence, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
