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An Auckland man has been arrested by Customs after allegedly smuggling 10kg of illegal opioid-containing kamini pills into New Zealand.

Kamini pills are a type of ayurvedic herbal medicine that contain opium and were discovered in snack packets stored in a container of goods from India.

The importation, supply and possession of kamini is illegal in NZ without a valid prescription.

Customs spent two months investigating the illegal importation of the drug before its officers searched a residential and business address earlier today.

The pills were sent to the NZ Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science for testing and analysis.

Analysis confirmed they were kamini, with the opioids contained identified as class B and C controlled drugs.

Officers found the 10kg of pills hidden inside snack packets from India. Photo / Customs NZ

The arrested man, 66, will appear in the Manukau District Court later this afternoon.

Nigel Barnes, the chief customs officer of fraud and prohibition, said the investigation was driven by intelligence and followed the illicit drugs from their arrival at the border to their distribution throughout the community.

“The evidence gathered from this investigation suggests a well-organised illicit operation, which has resulted in the arrest of this man,” he said.

“Kamini is a cause of concern – it contains opioids and there is a high risk of dependency.

“Customs wants to stop these products from entering NZ communities where they can cause harm.”

Barnes reminded the public that importing or possessing kamini without a prescription is illegal, and there are serious negative health consequences associated with it.