Two Kiwis have been charged after attempts to smuggle clothing saturated with methamphetamine through Auckland International Airport.
In separate attempts, two 31-year-old men arrived off flights from Malaysia carrying clothing soaked with methamphetamine, using a very similar concealment method in an attempt to bring the drugs into the country.
The first man was referred to Customs for a baggage search after arriving from Kuala Lumpar on August 26, when officers discovered two sealed bags full of clothing which felt different.
A further five sealed bags of clothing were discovered in the man's suitcase, which testing confirmed positive for methamphetamine.
On August 30, the second man arrived off a flight also from Kuala Lumpar. He was sent to Customs for a baggage check where Customs officers located a sealed bag of clothing within in his backpack.
Customs Acting Manager Airports Northern Simon Peterson said the clothes were heavy, stiff and covered in a white powder residue.
A search of the man's luggage uncovered a further four sealed bags of clothing. Testing confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.
The final weight of the methamphetamine from both intercepts was yet to be confirmed.
Peterson said these two interceptions point to the involvement of transnational criminal groups operating a coordinated smuggling operation.
"Customs is continuously adapting to emerging concealment methods. Our officers are trained to identify the indicators that something isn't right. In both cases, their experience, vigilance, and investigative skills were key to uncovering the drugs.
He said acting as a drug courier can have life-changing consequences, and anyone caught attempting to import illicit drugs into New Zealand could expect to face serious penalties.
Both men have appeared in the Manukau District Court.
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