Customs officers have seized an estimated 90.7 kilograms of methamphetamine in four abandoned bags across two flights in less than 12 hours at Auckland International Airport over the weekend.
The first intercept, a flight from Malaysia landing close to midnight on Saturday, saw Customs officers quickly identify two Eagle Creek-branded bags (one pictured, right) containing 50.2 kilograms of methamphetamine. The bags had four smaller duffle bags inside, each with individually wrapped packages of methamphetamine
The second intercept arrived from Los Angeles early on Sunday morning. Border agencies identified two backpacks (pictured, below) and referred them to Customs. A search of these bags located 40.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.
It is estimated the two seizures of methamphetamine would have had a street value of up to NZ$34 million and caused up to NZ$95 million in potential harm and cost to New Zealand.
Customs Manager Auckland Airport, Paul Williams, credited the sharp actions of Customs officers and border partners, reaffirming Customs’ unrelenting focus on border security.
“This was rapid, skilled work by officers who know exactly what to look for. They acted immediately, intercepted the suspicious bags, and shut down what would have been a significant shipment of methamphetamine reaching into our communities,” Mr Williams said.
“Preventing organised crime from profiting by harming New Zealanders is an absolute priority for Customs. Not only are our officers highly trained and always on the lookout for suspicious activity, but they do not work in isolation.
“Our job is clear: we stop illicit drugs before they reach our streets. While we work hard to assist legitimate travellers, we make no apology for our hardline approach to criminal activity at the border. We have the support of our border partners and stakeholders to stop them.”
So far this year, the Customs’ team at Auckland International Airport has seized an estimated 405.69 kilograms of drugs across couriers and baggage.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity can contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
