Police have seized more than $400,000 from an Air NZ baggage handler who was a “logistical organiser” for a syndicate importing mass amounts of methamphetamine through Auckland Airport.
The man has helped in several meth importations mainly from South East Asia and has pleaded guilty to charges of importing meth and conspiracy to import the drug but has yet to be sentenced.
Police went after the money earned from the drug importations, obtaining restraining orders over $316,900 found stashed at the man’s sister’s house and $24,470 in the bedroom of his own home.
Police also gained control of a family bank account containing more than $264,000, but most of that money will be given back as it belongs to relatives of the man who were not involved in his crimes.
The man’s role was a “logistical organiser”, who received orders from the syndicate to assign baggage handling staff to particular flights in order to collect the imported contraband,
The drugs were then driven off airport grounds without going through the Customs area.
The man then stored large amounts of money at his sisters and her husband’s house who were then sentenced to 12 months home detention in relation to the crimes.
Photo Credit: 1News
