A 29-year-old Canadian man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle 10.2kg of methamphetamine into New Zealand.
The contraband was wrapped in red paper, with festive themes and hidden like Christmas presents inside the woman’s purse, which New Zealand Customs Services suspected was a media gift.
“Ho ho NO,” the service wrote on social media about the alleged burglary.
It is said that the woman arrived at Auckland International Airport from Vancouver last week. Non-stop flights between cities take about 14 hours.
Paul Williams, the airport’s transport manager, described it as “a classic attempt by international organized crime groups” to try to “exploit a busy travel time.” “But a busy airport does not mean that Customs is not focused or paying attention to anyone who may be at risk of drugs,” added Williams.
The woman’s identity has not been released. He was charged with importing and possessing a Class A controlled substance.
Meanwhile, on Monday, the New Zealand Customs Service said it seized 28.5kg of the same drug at the same airport “in two bags abandoned near baggage carousers.”
The meth was “wrapped in four layers of black film, clear plastic wrap, branded tea bags, and clear plastic wrap,” according to the statement. “The investigation is still ongoing, so we do not rule out that anyone will be arrested.”
Last year, authorities in Canada, Australia and New Zealand busted a drug ring that was trying to smuggle tons of meth under the guise of maple syrup and canola oil shipments.
The use of meth and cocaine has recently “increased dramatically” in New Zealand, the New Zealand Herald reported last week.
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