Traveller from Hong Kong arrested at New Zealand airport after HK$7.5m crystal meth found in two neck pillows
Man arrived on flight from city to Wellington, via Sydney, say kiwi customs authorities
Crystal meth with a street value of around HK$7.5 million was found concealed in two neck pillows carried by a traveller from Hong Kong, New Zealand customs said.
The 49-year-old man was arrested by officers at the Wellington airport on Wednesday morning, after he was found to be in possession of around 1.5kg of methamphetamine, also known as Ice.
Authorities said the suspect had arrived on a flight from Hong Kong, via Sydney.
“Our intelligence-led approach has removed another large amount of meth from the drug supply chain, preventing substantial harm to our communities,” customs investigations manager Maurice O’Brien said in a statement.
READ MORE: Justice at last: Duped ‘drug mules’ freed in Hong Kong after being detained for attempting to smuggle crystal meth to Australia and New Zealand
It was reported that the man appeared at Wellington District Court following his arrest and was charged with importing class A drugs and possession for supply. He was remanded in custody without plea until next month.
Since 2014, law enforcement agencies in New Zealand have stepped up cooperation with their counterparts in China and Hong Kong in a bid to stem the heavy flow of drugs manufactured in Guangdong province.