Methamphetamine worth millions of dollars has been found in two abandoned bags at a New Zealand airport, officials say.Â
An estimated 28.5 kilograms of meth, with a street value of up to $NZ10.7 million ($A9.7 million), was found in abandoned bags at Auckland International Airport over the weekend, Customs said in a statement.Â
Customs has seized an estimated 28.5 kgs methamphetamine after it was found in two abandoned bags at Auckland International Airport over the weekend. Despite the large volume of travellers, our teams are always on high alert for suspicious behaviour 🔗 — New Zealand Customs Service (@NZ_Customs) https://t.co/m8dkfaxFop pic.twitter.com/PHO1tlCHxoDecember 16, 2024
Officers found a total of 14 packages in both bags that had been wrapped in four layers of black film, clear plastic wrapping, tea bag branded packaging, and clear plastic wrapping.Â
Customs manager at Auckland Airport, Paul Williams, said the find was down to the "vigilance and determination" of frontline Customs officers.
"This seizure has stopped a significant quantity of harmful drugs from getting into our communities, and will no doubt leave the criminals involved out of pocket for the Christmas season," he said.
The drugs were found in abandoned bags at Auckland International Airport over the weekend. (AP PHOTO)
 "Customs is accustomed to the tactics organised crime syndicates used during the busy travel season. Whether it's exploiting people to act as drug couriers or sending drugs within unaccompanied luggage to be picked up later by criminal accomplices, our officers are always on high alert."
The amount of methamphetamine could have caused up to $NZ29.9 million of social harm and cost to New Zealand, Customs said.Â
In 2023, New Zealand Customs said it made a record meth seizure, when nearly 26kg of the drug was found in the lining of a passenger's luggage.