16/06/2025
A 32-year-old woman and 34-year-old man have been arrested at Auckland International Airport trying to leave the country after they allegedly imported 486,200 cigarettes hidden in the mail.
According to court documents seen by Stuff, the pair – who are both listed as company directors – were arrested on Monday.
Nigel Barnes said a Customs investigation had found the mail packages were linked to the 32-year-old woman and 34-year-old man.
Customs seized an estimated 486,200 cigarettes worth about $734,528 in revenue evasion.
Barnes said front-line officers detected the hidden cigarettes using “state-of-the-art x-ray technology at the new Auckland Processing Centre”.
The duo are charged with defrauding Customs revenue, importing prohibited goods and making erroneous or defective declarations on documentation.
The pair were set to appear in the Manukau District Court on Monday.
Anyone with information about illicit tobacco smuggling is encouraged to contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.