Latest news with #BenWells
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- RNZ News
Four kilos of cocaine found hidden in suitcase
The drugs found in the suitcase would have been worth $1.6m if sold. Photo: Supplied / Customs Customs officers have found $1.6 million worth of cocaine "intricately" hidden in a suitcase at Auckland Airport. Four kilos of the drug were concealed in the panels of the bag of a passenger who had arrived on a flight from Chile yesterday, Customs said. The bag came to the attention of the officers when it was flagged for an inspection during baggage processing. Four kilograms of cocaine were found hidden in a suitcase at Auckland Airport. Photo: Supplied / Customs Auckland Airport chief customs officer Ben Wells said the officers had to do a very detailed search. "This one was quite an intricate concealment - its detection relied on our officers' training and tenacity. They kept looking until they found it," he said. "Organised crime uses a number of ways to attempt to smuggle narcotics into New Zealand. Our experienced officers use a range of techniques to detect concealments." If it was sold, the drug would have been worth $1,552,000 and finding it has prevented a lot of social harm and cost to New Zealand, a Customs spokesperson said. A 25 year old woman has been charged with the importation and possession of a Class A controlled drug. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
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.
