A woman was arrested at Auckland Airport last night after allegedly trying to smuggle $4.55 million of methamphetamine into the country.
The 23-year-old's baggage was searched after she arrived on a flight from Canada.
Customs officers found 14 individually vacuum-sealed packages containing a "white crystal substance" weighing around 15kg.
An initial test of the substance returned a positive result for methamphetamine.
The woman was charged with importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.
Customs said the seized drugs had an estimated street value of up to $4.55 million, with an estimated social harm and cost of $15.9 million to New Zealand.
Customs airport manager Paul Williams said criminal organisations manipulated and exploited people to carry out illegal activities.
“Customs is laser-focused on combatting the harm that illicit drugs wreak across communities."
He said the woman's arrest should "send a message" about the dangers of doing the legwork for organised crime.
"No amount of money is worth the cost of getting caught and, in this instance, risking life imprisonment."
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