A woman was arrested in Auckland after 3 kilograms of the sedative etomidate was allegedly found in her luggage.
Customs said the woman arrived on a flight from Malaysia on Saturday and underwent a baggage search.
Customs officers found "signs of tampering" and a bulge in the lining while searching the luggage. Officers then drilled into the bag after an X-ray revealed "inconsistencies".
A "white crystalline substance" was found, which tested positive for the sedative etomidate – a Class C controlled drug.
Etomidate is a fast-acting sedative used as an anaesthetic during short medical procedures.
According to the Government's drug alert system, High Alert, etomidate is put in illicit vapes and sold as space oil, k-pods, space vapes, or eto. Mixed with other drugs, etomidate can be fatal.
In November 2025, High Alert warned vape pods containing etomidate had been linked to a growing number of acute drug harm cases nationwide.
“Customs is focused on detecting and disrupting attempts to bring drugs into New Zealand, regardless of how they are concealed," Chief Customs Officer, compliance and enforcement, Ben Wells said.
"Interceptions like this help prevent potentially dangerous substances from reaching the community and causing harm."
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