Two people were allegedly caught attempting to smuggle around 63kg of drugs into New Zealand in their suitcases in two separate incidents this week.
Customs arrested both individuals at Auckland Airport.
"On Wednesday, Customs officers intercepted 37.15 kilograms of methamphetamine in the baggage of a 21-year-old woman. This amount of the drugs would have been worth up to NZ$13 million in street value," Customs said, in a statement today,
"Later that day, Customs officers searched a 28-year-old man, locating 25.71 kilograms of MDMA (ecstasy) in his suitcase. This amount of the drug would have been worth up to $7.7 million in New Zealand."
Customs Auckland Airport Manager Paul Williams said the seizures were a "huge success".
"These are large amounts of drugs to intercept in single incidents.
"The seizures have prevented significant harm to our communities by stopping nearly 63 kilograms of methamphetamine and MDMA hitting our streets. This is estimated to have prevented around $41.5 million in social harm within our communities.”
According to Customs, both defendants appeared in the Manukau District Court, charged with importation and possession for supply of controlled drugs, and were remanded in custody until their next court appearances.
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