Latest news with #0800WEPROTECT
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Scoop
Customs Intercepts 25 Kilograms Of Methamphetamine In Unaccompanied Bag
Customs officers at Auckland International Airport seized approximately 25 kilograms of methamphetamine from an unaccompanied bag on 14 June 2025. The bag arrived on a flight from San Francisco and was referred to Customs by border partners who noticed some inconsistencies in x-ray imaging. Upon further inspection, Customs officers located a vacuum-sealed package, which tested positive for methamphetamine. This amount of methamphetamine has an approximate street value of NZ$7.5 million and would have caused around NZ$26 million in potential harm and cost to New Zealand. Chief Customs Officer, Tracy Henderson, says it has been a busy year for the Auckland Airport team, and many of the successes were the result of the trust and respect amongst partner and border agencies. 'Customs continues to work closely with our border agency colleagues to disrupt the organised criminal groups behind these drug importations,' she says. 'Border agencies work swiftly to investigate any suspicious activity through our airport. It's the sharp instincts of skilled frontline officers that continue to stop illicit drugs from making it into our communities.' Everyone can help play a role in protecting New Zealand's border and communities from illicit drugs through keeping an eye out for suspicious activity while travelling or working at airports. You can raise any suspicions with a Customs officer at the airport or call 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) in confidence or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
1News
11-06-2025
- 1News
Tidy attempt to bring 10kg of meth into NZ in travel cubes
A foreign national has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison after attempting to smuggle nearly 10kg of methamphetamine – worth $3 million – through Auckland Airport hidden inside neatly packed travel cubes. The 27-year-old arrived at Auckland International Airport from Vancouver, Canada, on August 26, 2024. Customs officers questioned and searched the man, which led to the discovery of seven black branded travel cubes concealing an estimated 9.898kg of methamphetamine, New Zealand Customs said today. The passenger was subsequently arrested and charged with importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug and failure to provide a pin for his mobile phone. He appeared in the Manukau District Court yesterday, where he was convicted of the importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug. ADVERTISEMENT One charge of failing to provide a mobile pin was discharged. A travel cube in a suitcase containing methamphetamine. (Source: NZ Customs ) The man was sentenced to six years and three months' imprisonment. 'Identifying and intercepting individuals attempting to smuggle drugs into New Zealand is only the first part of the puzzle for us," Customs Auckland Airport manager Paul Williams said. "After that, there remains a significant amount of work and effort required by Customs officers to bring about a successful result in court. This result is testament to the dedication and perseverance of those officers. Anyone with suspicions about possible drug smuggling can contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
1News
11-06-2025
- 1News
No silver lining to man's attempt to smuggle cocaine into Auckland
A foreign national has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison after attempting to smuggle 2kg of cocaine through Auckland International Airport, concealed in the lining of two suitcases, last year. The 29-year-old arrived at the airport from Santiago, Chile, on July 27, 2024. Customs officers noticed inconsistencies during an x-ray of the man's luggage, leading to the discovery of approximately 2kg of cocaine – worth approximately $900,000 – concealed within the lining of both cases, Customs New Zealand said on social media. A suitcase concealing 2kg of cocaine. (Source: NZ Customs ) The passenger appeared in the Manukau District Court on May 23, 2025, where he was convicted of importing the Class A controlled drug. ADVERTISEMENT 'What this sentencing shows that it doesn't matter if you attempt to bring in small or large quantities of drugs into New Zealand. When you are caught, you will get a hefty punishment. It's just not worth it," chief Customs officer compliance and enforcement, Ben Wells, said. Anyone with suspicions about possible drug smuggling could contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Scoop
04-06-2025
- Scoop
Auckland Man Sentenced For Smuggling Card-Skimming Equipment
Press Release – New Zealand Customs Service This sentencing concludes a case in which a second man, also a 21-year-old from Auckland, was sentenced in the Auckland District Court in November 2024 to 10 months home detention for the same charges. A Customs investigation has resulted in the sentencing of a 21-year-old Auckland man to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision for smuggling card-skimming equipment. The defendant appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday (4 June 2025) and was convicted for knowingly importing goods for dishonest purposes under the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and possessing goods designed with intent to facilitate the commission of crimes involving dishonesty under the Crimes Act 1961. This sentencing concludes a case in which a second man, also a 21-year-old from Auckland, was sentenced in the Auckland District Court in November 2024 to 10 months' home detention for the same charges. Customs officers intercepted an air freight package in April 2023, that hid a card-skimming device sent from the United States. Further investigations identified that between March and July 2023, the defendants had smuggled up to 12 packages into New Zealand, which contained ATM card-skimming equipment. This was concealed in low-value electronic goods such as air fryers, used laptops, and TV antennas. The packages were sent to fictitious names at parcel collection lockers throughout Auckland. The two defendants then targeted ATMs and parking machines, including at a hospital carpark. A Customs search at the home address of the man sentenced today unveiled evidence including retail rewards cards which held skimmed bank data, and a cash counting machine. Further analysis by Customs Electronic Forensic Investigators identified card-reading software on the man's laptop. In total NZ$60,477.61 had been successfully withdrawn by the two men, with a further NZ$21,500 of attempted or declined withdrawals. Chief Customs Officer – Fraud and Prohibition, Nigel Barnes, said Customs takes card-skimming crimes very seriously and is actively investigating and prosecuting the criminal syndicates operating in New Zealand. 'Card-skimming is a financial crime that directly targets unsuspecting New Zealanders going about their daily business, and which causes a lot of stress for victims when they discover their card has been used to withdraw large sums without their knowledge. 'Customs will do our part in stopping these devices getting into New Zealand, and prosecuting those involved in bringing them in,' Mr Barnes says. Tips to keep yourself safe Do a quick assessment of an ATM before using it to check that nothing looks tampered with; Cover the keypad when you're entering a PIN; If you suspect your card has been skimmed, block your card immediately and contact your bank. Visit Customs' Border Protect webpage or call Customs on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) confidentially, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, if you have information regarding unusual or suspicious activity.
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Scoop
Man Sentenced To 4 Years & 9 Months' Imprisonment Following Customs Investigation Into Child Sexual Abuse Material
A 49-year-old Timaru man was today sentenced at the Christchurch District Court for his involvement in the online sexual exploitation of children. He received four-years and nine-months' imprisonment following a Customs investigation which began last year. On 20 August 2024, the defendant arrived at Christchurch International Airport when returning from a holiday overseas. He was spoken to and searched by Customs officers and, as a result, 306 child sexual abuse files were located on his phone. He was arrested and a search warrant was subsequently executed at his home address by Customs investigators from the Child Exploitation Operations Team. At this search warrant, another hard drive was located in a drawer, with at least 173,000 child sexual exploitation material files. Further forensic analysis by Customs specialists from the Electronic Forensic Unit identified the man had distributed child sexual abuse files even while on holiday overseas. Customs also charged him for that offending. The man's collection had been curated over a number of years and included at least 33 hours of video of the worst category of material, involving the rape and sexual abuse of hundreds of children from around the world. Chief Customs Officer – Child Exploitation Operations Team, Simon Peterson, said cases like this cause devastating and ongoing harm to child victims. "This offending is horrific. It's crucial to realise these are not just images or videos being censored because they are not good for public consumption. The proliferation of child sexual abuse material amongst clandestine global online networks has a much more profound effect on the victims themselves, every day. 'We continue to work closely with our colleagues at New Zealand Police and the Department of Internal Affairs, as well as our offshore partners, to combat this despicable trade and protect our border and vulnerable children all over the world, from those involved in it.' If you have concerns or suspicions about someone who may be trading in, or producing child sexual abuse images or videos, contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you are, or know of, someone who is at risk or being abused, contact the Police immediately.
