A man has been arrested in Auckland for allegedly smuggling 10kg of an illegal drug known as kamini into the country from India.
Customs investigators conducted search warrants at a business and home in Auckland after they found the pills concealed in packets of snacks sent from India two months ago.
The pills were sent for testing and analysis by the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science), which certified the pills as kamini, which contained class B and C controlled drugs.
Kamini, a traditional Indian herbal medicine, is an opioid-containing substance suggested to increase men's vitality and sexual function and comes with a high risk of dependency.
It is also referred to as Kamini Vidrawan Ras and commonly contains opium alkaloids such as codeine, morphine, and papaverine.
The import, supply and possession of kamini without a prescription is prohibited in New Zealand.
A 66-year man was arrested today and was scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court later this afternoon.
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Customs chief officer fraud and prohibition Nigel Barnes said the intelligence-led investigation followed the illicit supply chain from the border to distribution in the community.
"The evidence gathered from this investigation suggests a well-organised illicit operation, which has resulted in the arrest of this man.
"Customs wants to stop these products from entering New Zealand communities where they can cause harm."
Barnes said the public, including New Zealand's Indian communities, should be advised that importing or possessing kamini without a prescription was prohibited.
"More than being illegal, it can also have significant consequences on a person’s health.”
Last year, eight people suffered from lead poisoning across the North Island after taking kamini.
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