Biggest-ever seizure of methamphetamine at New Zealand airport
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Wellington - Two Czech nationals were arrested at Auckland airport for attempting to smuggle 20 kilograms of methamphetamine into the country, the New Zealand Customs Service said Friday.
The methamphetamine was discovered hidden in a concealed area at the bottom of their two suitcases, the Customs Service said.
It represented an estimated street value of 20 million New Zealand dollars (13.6 million US dollars), making it the largest-ever methamphetamine seizure at a New Zealand airport.
The two suspects arrived on a flight from Bangkok on Thursday afternoon and had been "identified" and questioned by customs officers at the airport, said Jamie Bamford, manager of intelligence, investigations and enforcement at the Customs Service.
They are to be charged with importing a class A controlled drug, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
"Yesterday's seizure has prevented a significant amount of social harm to our communities," Bamford said.
- DPA
