A woman charged with drug smuggling was allegedly caught with enough methamphetamine stuffed in her checked luggage to supply nearly a million doses of the Class A narcotic. 

The unemployed 33-year-old was detained on Sunday at Auckland International Airport after arriving on a flight from Singapore. 

She was referred to Customs for further questioning. 

During a search of her baggage, Customs officers allegedly found 18 individually vacuum-sealed packages containing a white crystalline substance. Testing confirmed the substance was methamphetamine. 

The initial consignment weighed an estimated 22kg, included packaging. Following extraction, the weight of the seized methamphetamine was an estimated 18.45kg. 

Customs said the narcotics found in the woman’s bag could produce up to 922,500 doses, with a potential street value of $5.53 million. 

The woman appeared in Manukau District Court yesterday on one count of drug importation and has been remanded until April for a case review hearing. 

If convicted, she could be jailed for life. 

Customs Auckland Airport manager Paul Williams had a warning for all travellers. 

“If you try to smuggle drugs into New Zealand, you might not just land here – you could land in prison.” 

Williams said the Christmas and New Year period was one of Customs’ busiest times, with officers working tirelessly at the border to ensure a smooth travel experience for visitors and those returning home. 

“Our message to anyone considering carrying prohibited items is clear: regardless of whether you know what’s in your bag, if it contains illegal drugs, you will face arrest. 

Customs officers allege they found 18kg of methamphetamine stuffed in the woman's checked luggage when she arrived in NZ from Singapore. Photo / Customs 

“Customs remains committed to reducing the harm caused by illicit drugs in our communities. No financial gain is worth the serious consequences, which can include life imprisonment.” 

Court documents show the woman landed in New Zealand on flight SQ285 from Singapore. 

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the woman, who is listed as having no fixed abode, could face life imprisonment if convicted. 

Anyone with suspicions about possible smuggling should contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Lane Nichols is Auckland desk editor for the New Zealand Herald with more than 20 years’ experience in the industry.