A man has been charged after allegedly smuggling $9.3 million of methamphetamine into the country.
The 31-year-old appeared in Auckland District Court on Monday, charged with importing a Class A drug.
It comes after Customs carried out a search warrant in Auckland on Thursday. The search related to an investigation that allegedly linked the man to six separate air freight consignments of meth - intercepted at the border between January and May 2022.
The methamphetamine was concealed in four welding machines, each containing about 12kg of the drug, ink cartridges containing approximately 8kg of the drug and an air cooler that hid approximately 6kg of methamphetamine.
It is believed that all six consignments were destined for the same person in New Zealand.
In total, 62 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized with an estimated value of $9.3 million.
Customs investigations manager Cam Moore said the arrest is a result of effective targeting and detection at the border.
"Customs is working across all points of entry in Aotearoa to ensure drug smugglers are prevented from getting their drugs into market.
"These seizures could have caused enormous harm, damaging lives and funding further crimes. We won't let the drug smugglers exploit New Zealand for their own gains," Moore said.
The defendant had an arrest warrant against him for breaching bail conditions and failing to appear in court on prior drugs charges.
He is scheduled to re-appear in court for sentencing on October 7.
Anyone who has suspicions about someone involved in illegal smuggling should call 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
