Customs officers have arrested a 25-year-old woman at Auckland International Airport after finding more than 12 kilograms of methamphetamine in her luggage.
The foreign national arrived in New Zealand for the first time on Monday 14 September on board a flight from Singapore. On presenting to Customs for processing, she was referred for a bag search.
Her suitcase was found to contain clothing positioned over the lining of a false bottom within the suitcase. Once the false bottom was removed, Customs officers located 12 black plastic-wrapped packages.
Testing of the white crystal substance inside the packaging returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
The woman was arrested and charged with the importation of a Class A controlled drug and was scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court today.
The 12.5 kilograms of methamphetamine has an estimated street value of approximately NZ$3.7 million. Removing these drugs from the market may have prevented NZ$13 million in social harm.
Chief Customs Officer Compliance and Enforcement, Natalie Ross, says anyone attempting to smuggle drugs through airports should know the real risks they face. “Customs officers are trained to identify and stop anyone from exploiting our borders and bringing harm to our communities.”
She adds, “Drug couriers face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment – they risk losing their freedoms, life as they know it, and future travel and career prospects.”
Customs urges the public to help play a part in stopping organised crime. Suspicions about potential drug smuggling can be reported confidentially to 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
