HK man arrested for $20 million meth in spatula sets

Customs arrested a Hong Kong national last night in relation to a pallet of spatula sets that contained methamphetamine or ‘P’ with an estimated street value of up to $20 million. He appeared in the Auckland District Court this morning.

At the end of July, Customs officers intercepted an air cargo shipment from Hong Kong of 80 boxes of 24-piece spatula sets. Each set came with a 250 gram methamphetamine packet hidden under the box, adding to approximately 20 kilograms.

Customs investigators linked the shipment to a 23-year-old Hong Kong national, who had arrived into the country in May on a visitor’s visa, and arrested him at a residential address on the North Shore last night. He now faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Customs Investigations Manager, Maurice O’Brien says this is yet another significant seizure that involves an ever-changing method of concealment, which Customs’ targeting systems and people located, and quick action made the connections that led to the arrest.

“Customs places a lot of emphasis on understanding the international supply chain and works closely with international enforcement partners around the world to not only cause disruption through individual seizures, but also dismantle the syndicates who are involved.

“These relationships work well and are absolutely necessary for dismantling syndicates and providing interception capability off-shore to tackle the root of the supply chain.”

You can also play a role in protecting the border and your communities from drugs smuggling. To report suspicions about packages or people – call 0800 4 CUSTOMS.

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