Methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $21.7 million was seized. Photo: Supplied / Customs
Three workers at Auckland International Airport are facing charges after Customs seized methamphetamine with a potential street value of nearly $22 million.
Customs and police said after spotting suspicious activity at the airport, they found workers had taken a container off a flight from Malaysia earlier this month.
It had 58 kilograms of meth inside.
On Thursday, five Auckland properties were searched and cocaine and other items were found.
Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said the case sent a clear message to trans-national and serious organised crimes that Customs was always on the lookout for suspicious behaviour.
"Customs has zero-tolerance for anyone taking advantage of their privileged security access and we will not hesitate to prosecute those caught abusing it," he said in a statement.
Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said it highlighted how important it was for Customs, police and the airport to work together to "stamp out insider threats".
The three men were arrested and appeared in the Manukau District Court on 12 March.
They were facing multiple charges for the importation of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine for supply and were remanded in custody.
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