Woman arrested after $3.7 million meth haul found in luggage

A woman was arrested at Auckland Airport this week after a $3.7 million meth haul was found hidden in her luggage.

The 25-year-old foreign national arrived on a flight from Singapore on Monday, March 14, and was sent for a bag search.

During the search, Customs officers found clothing placed over the lining of a false bottom inside the suitcase.

Twelve black plastic-wrapped packages containing a white crystal substance were discovered underneath the false bottom. Testing returned a positive result for methamphetamine.

Weighing 12.5 kilograms, the intercepted drugs had an estimated street value of $3.7 million, with a potential to cause $13 million in social harm.

The woman was arrested and charged with he importation of a Class A controlled drug. She was scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court yesterday.

More on this topic

Organised crime eyes 'fat profit' in NZ's 'attractive' illicit tobacco market

New figures show that almost 12 million cigarettes and cigars have been stopped at the border in 2026.

Health

Thu, Sep 10

6:19

Meth haul worth $13 million found in container at Tauranga Port

The 44kg shipment of illegal cargo was in duffel bags, tossed amongst legitimate goods.

Crime and Justice

Thu, Sep 10

How smugglers are trying to sneak cigarettes into the country

Millions of cigarettes are intercepted at the border each year, and the methods criminal organisations are using to smuggle them are growing more sophisticated, Customs says.

Crime and Justice

September 25, 2025

0:38

“Customs officers are trained to identify and stop anyone from exploiting our borders and bringing harm to our communities," Chief Customs Officer Natalie Ross said.

“Drug couriers face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment – they risk losing their freedoms, life as they know it, and future travel and career prospects.”