US man busted importing $1m worth of liquid cocaine

The tequila bottles used in an attempt to smuggle liquid cocaine into New Zealand. Photo / supplied

An American man has been arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle liquid cocaine valued at up to $1 million into Auckland.

Peter Rhee, 29, arrived into New Zealand on a flight from Los Angeles last Monday with little money and only vague reasons as to why he was visiting the country, said Customs drug investigations manager Mark Day.

"He actually just stated that he just wanted to go to the beach. He had no real valid reason to come to New Zealand but he said he would be here for several months.

"There wasn't a lot stacking up.''

Rhee became "agitated and non-cooperative'' when Customs officers insisted on searching his luggage, Mr Day said.

They found two tequila bottles in a bag, which "didn't look right''.

"The bottles themselves caused concern because of the way the seals looked, so the Customs officers took some of the liquid out.

"The liquid itself didn't look like tequila so they tested it and it came back positive for cocaine.''

Mr Day estimated the liquid was worth somewhere between $800,000 and $1m dollars.

"There has been an increasing prevalence of cocaine in illicit drug markets internationally, and New Zealand is seen as part of that market. The methods of concealment are also the same ones that are being seen overseas,'' he said.

"The high-level training our officers receive gives them the skills and knowledge to profile passengers that may pose a risk to our border.''

Rhee was charged with importation of a Class A controlled drug and was remanded in custody when he appeared in the Manukau District Court last week.

The maximum jail term for the charge is life imprisonment.

He will reappear in court on February 28.