Case one: 7.13 kilograms of methamphetamine in Lego and pool lounger
On Sunday, 11 October 2026, a 24-year-old foreign national was arrested by Customs officers after attempting to smuggle 7.13 kilograms of methamphetamine into New Zealand.
The man arrived from Vancouver, Canada, and was referred for a baggage search.
His suitcase hid a Lego box and inflatable pool lounger amongst clothing, which contained a total of seven clear vacuum sealed packages of methamphetamine. He was arrested and charged for importing a Class A controlled drug.
Case two: drug courier jailed for 1.7 kilograms methamphetamine and ketamine in granola and coffee
In a separate case, a foreign national was sentenced on Thursday, 8 October 2026 to four years and two months in prison for smuggling more than 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine and ketamine into New Zealand earlier this year.
The 46-year-old woman had arrived from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, 30 April 2026 and was referred for a baggage search.
Inside her suitcase, Customs officers discovered two bags of granola that hid sealed silver packets of methamphetamine weighing an estimated 948 grams. Two packets of coffee also hid 10 sachets containing an estimated 803 grams ketamine.
Acting Manager Airports Northern, Simon Peterson, says anyone contemplating drug smuggling should think twice – they will get caught and face the consequences.
“Drug couriers are exploited by transnational, serious and organised crime. By intercepting the illicit drugs and bringing offenders to justice, Customs helps to disrupt those criminal supply chains and prevent further harm to our communities.”
Anyone with suspicions about possible smuggling should contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
