Two Brazilian nationals have been jailed for attempting to smuggle five kilograms of cocaine, worth up to $2.2 million, through Auckland International Airport in separate incidents earlier this year.
23-year-old Benhur Martin was arrested in April after a search of his luggage found approximately 2kg of cocaine hidden within the lining of his suitcase.
He was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in Manukau District Court today for smuggling cocaine and convicted for importation and possession of a Class A controlled drug for supply.
In the second case, another Brazilian national, 29-year-old Mislene Dos Santos, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for importation of a Class A controlled drug.
She was arrested in May after customs officers found almost 3kg of cocaine hidden within the walls of her suitcase.
Customs said 11 people have been arrested this year for attempting to smuggle Class A controlled drugs, cocaine or methamphetamine, through Auckland International Airport.
“These seizures added up to a total of 16.8kg of cocaine and 53kg of methamphetamine and have prevented an estimated $63.7 million in social harm to our communities,” a spokesperson said.
Last month a 44-year-old US national was arrested after disguising 6.7kg of methamphetamine, worth up to $2.34 million, as three Christmas presents hidden in her luggage.
Customs manager at Auckland Airport Paul Williams has issued a stark warning to drug smugglers who believe they can hide in crowds during the busy holiday season.
“Anyone attempting to smuggle drugs should consider themselves warned that the festive season is not a time to think our border is any easier to get through,” he said.
Williams said customs will not compromise their efforts to protect New Zealand from financial exploitation and warned people not to “get involved” with smuggling drugs.
“These transnational organised crime groups don’t care about you or your families, or the consequences you will bear on their behalf for smuggling,” he said.
He said illegal smuggling can be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
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