A New Zealand teenager has been arrested at Auckland International Airport after 15 kilograms of methamphetamine and cocaine was allegedly found in his luggage.
The 19-year-old arrived at the airport from Los Angeles yesterday and border officers discovered 15 vacuum-sealed packets hidden in his suitcase, Customs said today.
Thirteen of the packages contained methamphetamine, while two others were found to contain cocaine.
Customs Auckland Airport manager Paul Williams said criminal syndicates would prey on the young and vulnerable, but anyone caught up in this sort of crime faced the harshest penalties.
“Organised crime groups do not care how much life you have ahead of you. In this instance, a teenager is looking at life imprisonment for the importation and possession for supply of Class A drugs.”
Suspicions about drug smuggling could be reported by calling 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) in confidence, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
