A Masterton man has been arrested after Customs officers found $3 million worth of methamphetamine concealed in art and roller-skate kneepads.

The 43-year-old has been linked to a series of packages sent to various Aotearoa addresses in July, containing an estimated total of 10kg of meth.

Small quantities of the drug were concealed across 10 separate packages containing a painting and roller-skate kneepads.

A painting was used to hide the drug. Photo / Customs Service NZ

They were shipped by mail and air to places across the country before they were intercepted by Customs officers.

The chief Customs officer for regional investigations, Rachael Manning, said the operation’s “scattergun” approach is increasingly being adopted by organised crime groups taking advantage of high shipping volumes.

Police intercepted the packages in July 2025. Photo / Customs Service NZ

“There is a high volume of legitimate parcels crossing our borders daily, but our frontline officers remain vigilant”, she said.

“Customs is well aware of the different methods criminals use and places equal emphasis on all types of incoming packages, big and small, to seize illicit drugs at our border.”

The small-scale meth operation concealed the drugs in packages containing roller skate kneepads. Photo / Customs Service NZ

With the support of Masterton police, Customs yesterday executed two search warrants after a probe connected the man to the smuggling operation.

A further $7000 in cash, 100g of meth, meth drug paraphernalia and 12 cannabis plants were seized at the site.

The 43-year-old man who has been charged could face life in prison. Photo / Customs Service NZ

Wairarapa’s area manager investigations Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Skoglund said the arrest would reduce drug harm to the community.

“Police, alongside our Customs colleagues, will continue to target organised criminal offending and drug distribution, which causes huge social harm to our people.”

The man was due to appear today in the Masterton District Court for a charge related to the importation of a class A controlled drug, with the possibility of additional charges being laid.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.