A cocaine courier has been jailed after attempting to smuggle more than 1.6kg of the drug concealed in the lining of her luggage through the border.
The foreign national was sentenced in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday to seven years and four months in prison.
The woman had landed at Auckland International Airport on a flight from Santiago, Chile on July 20, 2025.
She was referred to Customs for a baggage search and x-ray. During the search, Customs officers noted both suitcases were unusually heavy once all the contents had been removed.
After a physical examination into the interior lining, officers discovered a white powder which testing confirmed positive for cocaine.
Chief Customs Officer compliance & enforcement, Natalie Ross, said attempting to smuggle illicit drugs into the country carried serious consequences.
"Behind every cocaine shipment is a criminal network motivated by profit, not the wellbeing of New Zealanders. People who agree to act as couriers are helping organised crime groups and should expect to face significant consequences when caught,” she said.
Anyone with information about smuggling or other border-related offending has been urged to call Customs’ confidential 24-hour hotline on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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