About 50kgs of methamphetamine was found inside two unaccompanied bags. Photo: Supplied / NZ Customs
Fifty kilograms of methamphetamine and two kilograms of cocaine has been seized at Auckland International Airport by Customs.
The meth was found by Custom officers over the weekend in two unaccompanied bags on a flight from San Francisco.
It is estimated the meth and cocaine would have had a combined street value of up to $19.7 million.
It would have caused around $54m in potential harm and cost to the country.
The cocaine was found concealed in the lining of a passengers suitcase of a 24-year-old who travelled from Santiago in Chile.
He was charged with importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.
The meth was found in unaccompanied bags. Photo: Supplied / NZ Customs
Customs have now seized about 78 kilograms of drugs in under a week.
Customs Auckland Airport acting manager Ben Wells said Customs will keep working across the industry to secure the supply chain and act swiftly to stamp out drugs coming into the country.
"This demonstrates the need for constant vigilance, information-sharing, and networking across the aviation sector.
"It's a combined effort to keep illicit drugs out of New Zealand communities and stop criminals from cultivating user demand," said Wells.
An x-ray image of the suitcase with cocaine concealed inside the lining. Photo: Supplied / NZ Customs
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