Two men caught trying to smuggle 36kg of methamphetamine into the country from Singapore had concealed the vacuum packed drugs in green tea packaging, it’s alleged.

The unemployed 23-year-old Kiwi and 25-year-old Australian miner could now face life in prison if convicted, with Customs warning would-be drug smugglers the payoff if simply not worth the risk.

“Make no mistake - it is not worth the risk. Bringing illegal drugs into the country only lines the pockets of transnational, serious organised crime syndicates, while those doing the footwork carry the very heavy weight of the crime,” chief Customs officer compliance/enforcement, Ben Wells, said.

The pair were arrested yesterday at Auckland International Airport after arriving together on flight SQ285 from Singapore.

They were referred for a baggage search during processing.

“On examination, it was found that both passengers’ suitcases contained identical contents of vacuum-sealed bags, wrapped in towels,” Wells said.

“Each bag was found to contain approximately 18 vacuum-sealed packets of the class A controlled drug methamphetamine, concealed within green tea packaging. The approximate total weight of methamphetamine per suitcase was 18kg, with a combined total of approximately 36kg between both.”

Court documents say the two men, both of no fixed abode, are each charged with trying to import the Class A drug.

The charges were laid under the Misuse of Drugs Act and carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

The pair were due to appear in Manukau District Court today.

Wells, said this was another case of young people being lured into a dangerous criminal world with the promise of fast money.

“This intercept is another example of the careful attention our targetters and officers at the airport pay to travellers, which has now prevented over NZ$37 million of social harm reaching our communities.”

The National Drug Intelligence Bureau estimates that 36kg of methamphetamine is equivalent to an estimated 1,800,000 doses. If sold in retail amounts, this amount of methamphetamine crystal would be worth about $10.8m.

Anyone with information about suspicious activity can contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.