Operation Matata: ‘Significant threat’ exposed in second phase of smuggling operation

Operation Matata has identified that the syndicate was allegedly smuggling Class A drugs through unattended baggage on international flights, primarily through Auckland International Airport.

The investigation has had two separate termination phases.  The latest, on Wednesday, has seen nine people facing serious criminal and drugs charges. This follows an earlier 18 arrests on 24 June 2025 in the first phase.

In total 15 current and former baggage handlers employed by airline baggage handling agencies at Auckland International Airport were charged.

During the course of the investigation, Customs working alongside US authorities, seized 631 kilograms of methamphetamine and 112 kilograms of cocaine, stopping it from getting into our communities.

Putting it into perspective, this seizure would have provided nearly every Kiwi roughly six doses of methamphetamine each.   

On Wednesday, Police and Customs investigators executed 19 search warrants across the Auckland region.

“Make no mistake, this investigation has exposed and disrupted a significant threat to New Zealand,” Detective Inspector Tom Gollan, of the National Organised Crime Group says.

“Police will allege the group’s operation involved placing unaccompanied bags on international flights, which were then covertly removed on arrival in Auckland by corrupt baggage handlers to avoid security protocols.”

Since the beginning of this year Police and Customs working closely with overseas law enforcement partners have disrupted and intercepted multiple drug shipments bound for New Zealand.

Flights have originated from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Santiago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York.

Customs Investigations Manager Dominic Adams says New Zealand’s volume of legitimate trade and travel means the risk of criminal infiltration is very real.

“In tandem with the Police and our international partners and industry stakeholders, Customs is continuing to protect communities from the organised criminal groups who are attempting to exploit our international supply chains.

“These individuals are abusing their positions of trust to carry out crime, which not only affects New Zealand’s reputation as a safe place to do business but poses a dangerous threat to the wider community by bringing extremely harmful drugs into New Zealand.

“These arrests send a clear message that Customs and our agency and industry partners are tackling this issue head on, and a potential criminal conviction awaits those who choose to subvert the supply chain for their own gains.”

Detective Inspector Gollan says the most recent seizure was 50 kilograms of methamphetamine smuggled aboard a flight from Malaysia on 18 June 2025.

“It will be alleged one of the arrested individuals gained unauthorised airside access at Auckland International Airport and was observed piloting a baggage cart towards the aircraft,” he says.

“The man’s attempts were thwarted by a swift and coordinated response from Police, Customs and other agencies.”

Wednesday’s search warrants located approximately $150,000 in cash.

“Law enforcement continues to work with airport authorities and other companies to stamp out insider threats, making it difficult for criminal enterprises to operate in that environment,” Detective Inspector Gollan says. 

“Multiple investigations over the last few years, reaching back to Operation Selena, means that we have a very good understanding now of any nefarious activity occurring around the arrival of planes and the deplaning of luggage. 

“This knowledge has led to multiple arrests of baggage handlers and those people siting over the top of them as controllers. 

“Work done to make the airport more resilient to this criminal behaviour has forced organised crime groups to modify the way they operate making them more vulnerable to discovery.”

Detective Inspector Gollan says this work continues.

“These syndicates operate for profit only, disregarding the misery these drugs would bring to communities across New Zealand. 

“This is particularly the case with methamphetamine and these organised crime groups are intent on feeding the addiction of our people in vulnerable communities, of which saw meth consumption double in July last year.”

By the numbers: Operation Matata

• 27 arrests to-date
• 631 kilogram – methamphetamine seized
• 31.5m – doses of methamphetamine seized
• NZ$220.8m – retail value of methamphetamine seized
• NZ$699.3m – estimated social harm figure
• 112 kilograms - cocaine seized
• 1.12m – doses of cocaine seized
• NZ$50.4 – retail value of cocaine seized
• NZ$33.6m – estimated social harm figure