Four Chinese nationals are scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court today following arrests by Customs on a variety of illicit tobacco and drug-related charges.

During search warrants carried out yesterday (22 October), Customs investigators located an estimated 1,200 kilograms of loose tobacco in an Auckland storage unit, and a commercial quantity of cigarettes at a residential address. They also found small bags of methamphetamine at the same residential address, and a cannabis grow-house at another, which the New Zealand Police dismantled with Customs’ assistance.

Chief Customs Officer Fraud and Prohibition, Nigel Barnes, says this investigation was related to the August seizure of 927,000 cigarettes that resulted in the arrest of one person at the time, and an accomplice some days later.

“Customs enquiries following the arrest in August identified four suspects involved in receiving previous air cargo consignments from China that were believed to contain illicit tobacco. What we’re seeing is an example of the current scale of organised tobacco smuggling happening in New Zealand,” says Mr Barnes.

“Tobacco smuggling doesn’t happen in isolation – it’s often linked to other serious crimes involving drugs and various illicit commodities. People who think that illicit tobacco isn't a problem should be aware that it's part of the wider criminal ecosystem, which is why we’re using all available information sources to target and disrupt the flow of illicit tobacco into New Zealand.”

Mr Barnes acknowledged the significant assistance from New Zealand Police and Immigration New Zealand in yesterday’s arrests, noting it was a combined effort to target and dismantle this type of criminal activity.

People who have suspicions about smuggling can contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Notes:

• The estimated evaded Customs revenue on the uncustomed cigarettes and tobacco found is $2,553,357.
• Three of the four people arrested are unlawfully in New Zealand, having remained following the expiry of their visas.

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