Customs has seized about 15kg of methamphetamine and a large amount of cocaine at Auckland International Airport. Photo: Customs NZ
A 19-year-old New Zealander has been arrested after drugs with an estimated street value of $4.67 million were found in his luggage at Auckland International Airport.
Customs said it found around 15 kilograms of Class A drugs on 5 June, including a large quantity of methamphetamine with a street value of $3.9 million.
They said the drugs, including cocaine with a value of $776,000, were in vacuum-sealed packets inside a suitcase.
Customs Auckland Airport manager Paul Williams said the passenger on a flight from Los Angeles to Auckland was referred for a baggage check on arrival.
"An examination of the suitcase identified 15 vacuum-sealed packets - 13 of which contained methamphetamine, with an estimated weight of 13 kilograms.
"The remaining two packets were found to contain cocaine, with an estimated weight of two kilograms."
Williams said removing this amount of methamphetamine from the market had prevented up to $13 million worth of social harm and cost.
He said seizing the cocaine had prevented $747,000 worth of social harm and cost.
He said trans-national criminal syndicates preyed on the young and vulnerable.
However, Williams said Customs officers were trained and committed to blocking any attempt to get drugs or other harmful substances across the border, and the volume of record seizures at Auckland Airport already this year was testament to that.
A 19-year-old New Zealand national has been arrested and faces charges of importation and possession for supply of Class A drugs.
Suspicions about drug smuggling can be reported by calling 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) in confidence, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
