A sales representative has been arrested at Auckland International Airport, accused of importing a large quantity of methamphetamine.
According to a court document, the 19-year-old arrived in New Zealand from Vancouver, Canada, yesterday on flight NZ23.
Customs allege the defendant had 15.17kg of the controlled drug in his checked luggage.
He is facing one charge of importing the Class A controlled drug.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
He is scheduled to have his first appearance in Manukau District Court today.
The news comes just days after police and Customs announced they had unravelled 鈥渁 major transnational organised crime syndicate鈥 smuggling drugs into New Zealand through Auckland International Airport with 鈥渃orrupt鈥 baggage handlers and local gangs.
鈥淲e鈥檒l allege in court that this syndicate has operated with corrupt baggage handlers and local gangs to import massive amounts of drugs through the Auckland Airport,鈥 Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said last week.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seized approximately 630kg of methamphetamine valued at approximately $220 million in retail terms, and 112kg of cocaine.鈥
Gollan said that had the drugs been distributed around the country, they would have caused 鈥渟ignificant misery鈥 to vulnerable communities.
He thanked the agencies that had worked with police, such as Homeland Security in the United States and Customs in New Zealand.
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
Get the iHeart App
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeart app. Scan the QR code to download now.
Download from the app stores
Stream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeart is easy to use and all FREE
