|  | | | International investigation results in arrests, drugs seized and millions in assets restrained | | Last week, a joint international investigation into an illegal operation based out of south-east Auckland was disrupted resulting in 12 arrests and the seizure of illicit drugs and $500,000 in cash.
Under Operation Havana, New Zealand Police and Customs have been investigating the syndicate's 'scattergun' method of allegedly importing drugs through the international postal system over the last two years. | | | |
|
|
|
|  | | | Former airport baggage handlers jailed for their part in drugs case | | Customs' seizure of 4.6 kilograms of methamphetamine in an unclaimed backpack at Auckland Airport in 2022 has resulted in sentences of imprisonment for two men.
The men, aged 24 and 20 years old, were jointly convicted for attempting to possess methamphetamine for supply. They were sentenced to three-years-and-three months and two-years-and-nine-months jail respectively in the Manukau District Court yesterday.
Customs found the drugs hidden in a backpack, which had arrived on a flight from Los Angeles in November 2022. Both men, who were employed as baggage handlers at the time, were noticed acting suspiciously around a collection of unclaimed luggage. | | | |
|
|
|
|  | | | Forthcoming consultation on Goods Clearance Fees | | The Coalition Government's Q3 Action plan for New Zealand includes a commitment to begin consultation on changes to improve the efficiency and fairness of goods fees by 30 September 2024.
Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries have been working with a range of stakeholders to scope potential options, to ensure that options consulted on are well developed, and the information needed to assess them is provided through the consultation document.
Once the Government has determined the options that it will consult on, we will provide a link to information on the consultation process and the consultation material in forthcoming Customs Release issues. | | | |
|
|
|
|