Free holidays not worth dying for

Young New Zealanders who courier drugs are risking their lives, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today.

“Our young people are being targeted to do things which have devastating consequences. Criminal groups only want to boost their profits – they do not care what happens to drug mules,” Ms Costello says. “As far as the gangs and cartels are concerned, they are expendable.”

The Minister’s warning follows the arrest yesterday of six people from Auckland charged with smuggling methamphetamine from Malaysia.

This year, 11 young New Zealanders have been arrested for trying to courier drugs through our airports. This is in addition to five foreign travellers being caught and charged.

“People from overseas may not understand that we have a sophisticated border protection system and that they will be caught, prosecuted and go to prison, Ms Costello says.

“Our young people should have seen enough by now to know that if they courier drugs here, they will go to prison for several years. They won’t be with their loved ones, they won’t be with their friends, and future travel and career opportunities will be seriously hurt.

“But that is far better than being caught in the countries they are travelling to. A number of Southeast Asian countries retain the death penalty for drug crimes.

“Criminal groups are advertising to young people on social media with opportunities to have overseas holidays or make a quick buck.

“What those ads don’t say is the price to be paid.

“My simple message is, if you’re approached, don’t do it. For families and friends if you have any notion that someone is thinking about this, please stop them.

Editor’s Note:

People smuggling methamphetamine and cocaine face a maximum penalty in NZ of life imprisonment. Couriers caught smuggling commercial quantities (e.g. 10kg-20kg) frequently receive sentences ranging from seven to ten years in prison.
The latest charges relate to a wider operation involving smuggling 345 kilograms of methamphetamine.
In 2023 and 2024, no New Zealanders were arrested for couriering drugs here. In 2024, 15 foreign nationals were arrested and in 2023 there were 11.
In 2025, three New Zealanders and 21 foreign nationals were arrested. ...