New Zealand officials announce largest seizure crystal meth hidden in motors from Thailand

 

Image: New Zealand Customs Service

 

Officials in New Zealand have announced the seizure of 469 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, which was hidden inside a shipment of electric motors from Thailand.

 

The huge haul of drugs, which officials say has a street value of $150 million, was discovered in August and is the largest ever border seizure of crystal meth in New Zealand.

 

The drugs were hidden inside 60 electric motors, which each had 8 kilograms of the drugs stashed inside.

 

Speaking to the Associated Press, Customs Investigations Manager Bruce Berry said a Canadian drug cartel were responsible for the shipment, with police tracking two Canadian nationals for several months.

 

 

Two Canadians and a New Zealand national have been arrested and charged for the importation and possession of a class A controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

 

"It's a known international trend for overseas nationals to come into the country just to receive and distribute drug shipments. They use storage units or commercial premises and hire homes on Airbnb as part of their illegal activity," Mr Berry said. 

 

"This seizure has disrupted a significant amount of drugs from reaching communities, and has deprived organised crime groups off hundreds of millions of dollars worth of profits."

 

"Customs will continue to work closely with law enforcement agencies here and offshore, as well as industry partners, individuals and businesses, to target shipments and syndicates."
 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-09-07

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I bet those motors really speed along!!

The attempts at keeping the drug out of the country is actually raising the value, the next half a ton is going to bring in even more - probably already on its way there. NZ is fetching some of the best meth prices in the world, it's the new crystal klondike..

Exports doing great, contrary to what they claim... ;)

oh a loss of face internationally.

Someones head will roll 

Oh, well, that's 1% of Thai exports gone for the year

No Thais were harmed offended mentioned or implicated in the writing of this story it was all foreigners up to no good as usual ???? 

4 hours ago, from the home of CC said:

The attempts at keeping the drug out of the country is actually raising the value, the next half a ton is going to bring in even more - probably already on its way there. NZ is fetching some of the best meth prices in the world, it's the new crystal klondike..

Is it possible to buy futures on the meth exchange?

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"It's a known international trend for overseas nationals to come into the country just to receive and distribute drug shipments. They use storage units or commercial premises and hire homes on Airbnb as part of their illegal activity," Mr Berry said. 

Is renting a house via Airbnb illegal? Or is it likely to reduce the chance of immigration tracking them?

 

Bravo to the drug sniffing dogs and the whole operation in general. 

It was farang who did it, farang no good!

Farang put it in the motor after they left Thailand.

 

 

anecdotal only...  I was told in a conversation with friends yesterday that 'crack' as it is commonly referred to in NZ is nearly the same price as weed