Real estate agent arrested at Auckland Airport charged with importing 4kg cocaine

The 25-year-old woman was arrested at Auckland Airport yesterday and charged with importing cocaine. Photo / Alex Burton

A real estate broker is accused of smuggling 4kg of cocaine into New Zealand.

The 25-year-old woman was arrested at Auckland Airport yesterday and charged with importing cocaine.

In a court charging document, Customs alleged the woman tried concealing cocaine in two suitcases.

She faces charges now under the Misuse of Drugs Act which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The woman is due to appear in Manukau District Court today.

Customs said she was travelling on a flight with Chilean airline Latam and the cocaine was in two suitcases made by Lansay, which is a Brazilian brand.

The woman’s nationality was not disclosed.

The cocaine had a street value of about $1.45 million.

Cocaine consumption in New Zealand has surged in recent years, according to the latest annual Drug use in Aotearoa report.

A Latam Airlines Boeing 787 at Auckland Airport. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Cocaine consumption more than tripled in 2024 compared to the previous three years’ average in that study.

About 2.4% of adults reported that they used the drug at least once in the past year in 2023/24.

In February, Customs seized an estimated 101kg of cocaine at Auckland Airport.

At the time, that was believed to be the largest-ever seizure at any New Zealand airport.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, cocaine in New Zealand is a Class A controlled drug, as is heroin, mescaline, methamphetamine, and LSD.