Happy Holidays? Woman Busted Carrying Millions in Meth She Tried to Disguise as Christmas Gifts at Airport
A Canadian woman was busted at an airport in New Zealand earlier this week with an estimated $2 million in methamphetamine she had tried to pass off as innocent Christmas gifts.
According to a press release from the New Zealand Customs Service, a 29-year-old Canadian national left Vancouver on Sunday for Auckland with an amount of meth that would have had just about everyone in the Breaking Bad universe feeling festive.
Officials in Auckland were not so thrilled and arrested the unnamed alleged drug smuggler.
Police said in a statement:
Customs is sending a stern warning to drug smugglers this busy summer travel season after arresting a 29-year-old Canadian national at Auckland International Airport for attempting to smuggle methamphetamine wrapped as a Christmas gift inside her carry-on duffle bag.
The woman arrived in Auckland on a flight from Vancouver in Canada on Sunday 8 December 2024 and was questioned by Customs officers on arrival. A baggage search found her with an estimated 10.2 kilograms of methamphetamine wrapped as a Christmas present.
This amount of the drug would have been worth up to NZ$ 3.8 million in street value and a potential social harm cost of approximately NZ $10.7 million.
The woman is currently jailed and had a preliminary court hearing earlier this week. She is charged with importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.
Paul Williams, the Customs Manager at the Auckland Airport, said in a statement that the woman was part of an organized drug smuggling group.
“This is a classic attempt by transnational organised criminal groups at trying to exploit the busy travel season,” Williams said. “But a busy airport does not mean Customs is not focussed on or paying attention to anyone who may pose a drug risk. The airport teams are made up of vigilant officers who are intently focussed on catching those trying to bring harm to New Zealand.” Williams added:
Customs takes a layered approach to protecting the border and every single passenger is risk assessed even before they arrive in New Zealand. Criminal syndicates will use whatever tactics necessary to smuggle drugs, including manipulating people to do their bidding.
These criminal groups make the mistake of thinking Customs won’t chase smaller targets, but we know that drugs sent from North America are an increasing risk and we are prepared. We also have an excellent working relationship with our Canadian partners and collaborate with them closely to, in some cases, stop the drug couriers even before they board a flight here.
