[A Canadian woman was arrested at Auckland Airport on Sunday after attempting to smuggle 10.2 kilograms of methamphetamine, worth up to $2.2 million, disguised as Christmas presents. The woman, whose name and age were not released, had wrapped the drugs in bright red paper printed with snowflakes and stored them in a red duffel bag in her carry-on luggage.
The woman was held on charges of importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug. The attempt is believed to be the work of transnational organized criminal groups trying to exploit the busy travel season. Auckland Airport’s customs manager, Paul Williams, warned that such groups may underestimate the attention paid to passengers who pose a drug risk, but Customs remains focused on detecting and intercepting illegal drugs.
The arrest comes after a major methamphetamine seizure in New Zealand last year, where 713 kilograms of the drug, worth an estimated $150 million, was hidden in containers of Canadian maple syrup. Six suspects were arrested in a joint sting operation involving officers from New Zealand, Australia, and Canada.
New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster stressed the importance of international collaboration to disrupt and intercept drug trafficking and organized crime groups, which are creating havoc and harm in communities worldwide.
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