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.
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