Customs seized nearly two kilograms of methamphetamine when a man touched down at Auckland Airport on November 11.
The 19-year-old Irish national is charged with importing a Class A drug and possession of a Class A controlled drug for supply.
Upon his arrival in New Zealand the man was questioned, and his baggage was searched by Customs officers.
They found 1.9kg of methamphetamine in the lining of five cardboard boxes.
"Customs officers noticed inconsistencies in one of the X-rayed packages and further examination confirmed the white substance in the lining of the box was methamphetamine," said Customs manager at Auckland Airport, Paul Williams.
It's estimated that the seizure could have created 95,500 individual doses and had a street value of $669,000. If not discovered, it could have caused $2 million in social harm.
"It is always satisfying to intercept illegal drugs, no matter what the amount, and Customs officers remain constantly vigilant to prevent the efforts of criminals trying to exploit and harm our communities through their drug smuggling endeavors," said Williams.
On October 28 Customs also intercepted 25.8 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at NZ$9 million from a 36-year-old Canadian national when he arrived in Auckland.
