Police and Customs are set to give an update today on the mammoth drug-smuggling investigation that led to the arrest of more than a dozen baggage handlers at Auckland Airport. 

The press conference, due to start at midday, will be livestreamed at the top of this article. 

Earlier this year, police arrested and charged 15 current and former baggage handlers employed by airline baggage-handling agencies at Auckland International Airport. 

A further nine people were facing serious criminal and drug charges. 

A total of 631kg of methamphetamine and 112kg of cocaine were seized by customs while working alongside United States authorities. 

Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said the flights carrying the allegedly smuggled drugs came from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Santiago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. Photo / New Zealand Police 

Detective Inspector Tom Gollan, of the National Organised Crime Group, said this would have equated to roughly six doses of methamphetamine for every New Zealander. 

Gollan said Operation Matata began on March 20 this year when a man was arrested in East Tāmaki and 25kg of meth was found in his vehicle. 

The subsequent investigation uncovered “a wider group organising and facilitating controlled drugs being smuggled through Auckland Airport”. 

Gollan said the flights carrying the allegedly smuggled drugs came from Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Santiago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. 

“Police will allege the group’s operation involved placing unaccompanied bags on international flights, which were then covertly removed on arrival in Auckland by corrupt baggage handlers to avoid security protocols. 

“Make no mistake, this investigation has exposed and disrupted a significant threat to New Zealand.” 

One seizure turned up 50kg of meth allegedly smuggled on a flight from Malaysia on June 18. 

“The man’s attempts were thwarted by a swift and co-ordinated response from police, Customs and other agencies.” 

Police and customs investigators executed 19 search warrants across Auckland as part of the second phase of their operation. Police also turned up $150,000 in cash. Photo / New Zealand Police 

“It will be alleged one of the arrested individuals gained unauthorised airside access at Auckland International Airport and was observed piloting a baggage cart towards the aircraft.” 

Gollan said criminal syndicates brought misery to communities across New Zealand. 

“This is particularly the case with methamphetamine, and these organised crime groups are intent on feeding the addiction of our people in vulnerable communities, which saw meth consumption double in July last year.” 

Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said New Zealand’s volume of legitimate trade and travel meant the risk of criminal infiltration was “very real”. 

“In tandem with the police and our international partners and industry stakeholders, Customs is continuing to protect communities from the organised criminal groups who are attempting to exploit our international supply chains.”