A former baggage handler at Auckland Airport has today been jailed for his role in a foiled meth smuggling attempt four years ago.
In May 2020, when New Zealand's border was restricted amid the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Customs officers at the airport found 19.4kg of methamphetamine in a passenger's carry-on bag.The drugs had a street value of up to about $8 million.
"Customs' investigation – Operation Santana – resulted in four additional arrests that same week," a spokesperson said today.
Four other defendants pleaded guilty, but the man sentenced today had pleaded not guilty to importing methamphetamine.
"Evidence presented at trial in September 2023 showed he was a key organiser, texting instructions to put the drug-ladened suitcase on the baggage carousel," the Customs spokesperson continued.
"The man had also arranged for his criminal colleagues, also formerly baggage handlers, to get the suitcase off the baggage carousel and deliver it to him outside the airport where he was waiting.
"Evidence established that some of them were promised $20,000 each for a successful drop-off."
Today, the 47-year-old man was sentenced to 14 years and seven months for his role in the failed plot.
Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said: "Today's sentencing marks the completion of an intensive and complex investigation that uncovered a criminal enterprise long before those who were convicted knew that law enforcement was onto them.
"Customs understands the temptations or coercion that people working at airports and maritime ports can face with the promise of money, protection, or other enticements.
"Today's result sends a clear signal – you lose everything – money, time with family, future career prospects.
"Customs has eyes and ears on the ground more than you think."
SHARE ME