International mail used to smuggle drugs to Waihi, Whangarei, Lower Hutt and Auckland

Parcel by parcel, Customs has traced the unlawful smuggling of methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine to Waihi, Whangarei, Lower Hutt and Auckland. A 31-year-old Waihi man appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday in relation to the smuggling.
   
Between November 2024 and April 2025, Customs identified the attempted import of 25 packages containing approximately 28.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as pseudoephedrine, a precursor to methamphetamine, being sent to addresses in New Zealand by mail and by airfreight. 

Packages were seized in New Zealand by Customs officers, while others were seized by law enforcement partner agencies in the United States, Pakistan, Thailand, and Australia.

In New Zealand, search warrants carried out by Customs investigators with the support of Police resulted in the arrest of a 31-year-old Waihi man. He appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday for suspected drug smuggling after Customs intercepted a parcel containing 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, declared as roasted macadamia nut samples. Customs has not ruled out further arrests.  
 
The total quantity of methamphetamine seized has an estimated street value of NZ$9.1 million and could have caused around NZ$32 million in potential harm and cost to New Zealand.  
 
Customs Investigations Manager Dominic Adams says this operation is a result of strong international partnerships and targeting of low-quantity high-frequency drug smuggling.

“The surge in global e-commerce has significantly increased the volume of goods crossing our borders. With that growth comes heightened risk, with criminal networks and individuals increasingly attempting to exploit our airfreight and mail systems to move illicit substances.   

“Our officers are highly skilled, agile, and ready to deploy anywhere in the country, including remote and rural communities. Their exceptional performance continues to result in the interception of significant quantities of illicit drugs, preventing harm before it reaches our communities.”
    
Suspicions about drug smuggling can be reported by calling 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) in confidence, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.