A woman is in custody in New Zealand after arriving in the country on a flight from Vancouver with drugs in her luggage.
The New Zealand Customs Service said the woman landed in Auckland on Dec. 8.
A baggage search found an estimated 10.2 kg of methamphetamine wrapped as a Christmas present.
Customs officials estimated the drug would have been worth up to NZ$3.8million in street value and a potential social harm cost of approximately NZ$10.7 million.
“This is a classic attempt by transnational organised criminal groups at trying to exploit the busy travel season,” Paul Williams, the customs manager for Auckland Airport said in a statement.
Get breaking National news
“But a busy airport does not mean customs is not focussed on or paying attention to anyone who may pose a drug risk. The airport teams are made up of vigilant officers who are intently focussed on catching those trying to bring harm to New Zealand.”
- Nordik Spa adds safety measures amid class action over sexual assault allegations
- Three charged with murder of 12-year-old kidnapped from Edmonton: RCMP
- Halton officer charged in connection with 2025 vehicle chase injury: SIU
- Massive drug bust in Halifax ‘not even in the realm’ of past seizures: police
Williams said they have seen an increase in drugs from North America and they collaborate with officials in Canada to sometimes stop the drug couriers before they even board a flight.
The woman appeared in the Manukau District Court on charges of importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug. She has been remanded in custody.
Comments
Comments closed.
Due to the sensitive and/or legal subject matter of some of the content on globalnews.ca, we reserve the ability to disable comments from time to time.
Please see our Commenting Policy for more.