A customs officer has been arrested on drug charges and two other staff are under investigation amid allegations of theft at Auckland Airport.
The officers worked at the New Zealand Post International Mail Centre, where customs staff screen mail leaving and entering the country.
The Customs Service yesterday
confirmed that the officer was arrested last month and charged with theft and possession of cannabis.
He has appeared in court and was remanded on bail.
"Customs subsequently commenced a code-of-conduct investigation and two other officers are currently suspended from duty," said Customs' group manager of trade and marine, Phil Chitty.
He would not comment further on the inquiry.
Asked if the public should be concerned about missing mail or packages, a customs spokeswoman said, "No".
The Herald understands the two officers under investigation are close friends of the arrested man.
New Zealand Post was involved in the investigation but a spokesman said it had no comment on the case.
Customs screens all international mail - around 5.5 million items a month - for contraband and prohibited goods.
In one major bust in October, customs staff intercepted almost 3000 Ecstasy tablets sent by mail.
The bust was hailed by Customs' manager for northern ports, Simon Williamson.
In a statement, he said: "Customs screens all mail entering the country using a range of methodologies including our officers' skills and experience, x-ray equipment and detector dogs."
