By 1News Reporters
12:31pm

Customs have seized a combined total of more than 90 kilograms of methamphetamine found in abandoned bags on two inbound flights in under 12 hours at Auckland International Airport over the weekend.


The first intercept occurred after a flight from Malaysia which landed around midnight on April 26.


Customs officers identified two bags containing 50.2 kilograms of methamphetamine.


"The bags contained four smaller duffle bags, each with individually wrapped packages of methamphetamine," a statement from Customs said.

The second intercept was off a flight from Los Angeles early in the morning
of April 27.


Border agencies identified two backpacks and referred them to Customs who
found 40.5 kilograms of methamphetamine.


The seized methamphetamine was estimated to have a combined street value of
up to $34 million and could have caused up to $95 million in potential harm
and cost to New Zealand.


An investigation to identify those responsible for the abandoned luggage
items was ongoing, Customs said.


Customs Auckland Airport manager Paul Williams said it was "rapid, skilled work" undertaken by staff "who know exactly what to look for".


"They acted immediately, intercepted the suspicious bags, and shut down what would have been a significant shipment of methamphetamine reaching into our communities."


Williams said preventing organised crime from profiting by harming New Zealanders was an "absolute priority" for Customs.


The Customs team has seized an estimated 405.69 kilograms of drugs across couriers and baggage at Auckland International Airport this year.

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