A man has been arrested after an attempt to smuggle drugs into New Zealand disguised as packs of macadamia nuts was busted by Customs.
Customs identified the attempted import of 25 packages to addresses in Waihī, Whangārei, Lower Hutt and Auckland, containing approximately 28.3kg of methamphetamine and 2.2kg of pseudoephedrine between November 2024 and April 2025.
Seizures occurred in New Zealand and overseas, with support from law enforcement partners in the US, Pakistan, Thailand, and Australia.
The Waihī man was arrested after Customs intercepted a parcel declared as roasted macadamia nut samples, which contained 2.2kg of methamphetamine.
The total quantity seized had an estimated street value of $9.1 million.
He appeared in Tauranga District Court yesterday for suspected drug smuggling.
Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said this operation was a result of strong international partnerships and targeting of low-quantity high-frequency drug smuggling.
“The surge in global e-commerce has significantly increased the volume of goods crossing our borders. With that growth comes heightened risk, with criminal networks and individuals increasingly attempting to exploit our airfreight and mail systems to move illicit substances.”
Adams said Customs officers were “highly skilled, agile, and ready to deploy anywhere in the country, including remote and rural communities”.
“Their exceptional performance continues to result in the interception of significant quantities of illicit drugs, preventing harm before it reaches our communities.”