A man accused of importing methamphetamine appeared in the Invercargill District Court yesterday.
He is charged with importing the class A drug on July 1, as well as resisting police and possession of methamphetamine on July 18.
At his appearance, his lawyer, Yousif Al-Kalisy, said initial disclosure had been received from police but he was still to take instructions from his client.
He also sought name suppression and asked for a three-week remand without plea.
Judge Brandts-Giesen granted the interim name suppression but said it would need to be argued further at the man’s next appearance on August 9.
He remanded the man in custody until that appearance.
The total amount of methamphetamine the arrested man is alleged to have had in his possession or imported is not yet known.
After his arrest, police issued a press release saying the arrest was as a result of a joint operation between police and Customs.
"Half a kilogram of methamphetamine was concealed within a box of Lego from the USA and intercepted by Customs at the border with an estimated street value of between $250,000 and $300,000," the statement said.
"Police continue to step-up enforcement and the disruption of unlawful gang activity across the country as part of Operation Cobalt."
The statement also said further arrests and charges might be filed.
