$22M P seized at Auckland Airport

New Zealand Customs and Police have intercepted 22.6 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in the cargo of an international flight that arrived in New Zealand from Taiwan.

Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Parmenter from the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) said the seizure which was code-named Operation Georgie took place on December 5.

'This is the second largest border seizure in New Zealand history,” says Mr Parmenter.

'We estimate the methamphetamine intercepted during Operation Georgie would have a street value of over $22 million.”

'In 2006 Police and Customs intercepted 95 kilograms of methamphetamine during a joint operation at Auckland Airport.

This is our biggest border seizure since then.”

Customs Manager Investigations Maurice O'Brien says the sophisticated concealment method and large quantity of drugs found during Operation Georgie illustrate the risks organised criminal groups are willing to take in the hope of generating large profits.

'These criminals took a big risk and went to a lot of effort to try and smuggle the drugs undetected, but Customs' officers and systems are alert to such shipments,” says Mr O'Brien.

'I'm pleased that a very large quantity of harmful drugs will not be for sale on our streets these holidays, and the criminal syndicate will have an unhappy Christmas.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Parmenter says police have arrested two Taiwanese nationals followed the termination of Operation Georgie.

The pair have been charged with importing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for supply.

They have been remanded in custody and are due to reappear in Manukau District Court in April.

Mr Parmenter says Police and Customs will continue to work hard to reduce the harm that methamphetamine causes in New Zealand.

'We are working together to target the organised criminal groups that bring methamphetamine and the precursors used to manufacture methamphetamine into New Zealand.

'Operation Georgie shows we have the capability to disrupt and dismantle these organised criminal groups.”

Source: New Zealand Police.

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