A man who smuggled 113kg of methamphetamine concealed in a shipment of avocado pulp has been sentenced to 10 years and seven months in prison.
Victor Martos, a 37-year-old Mexican national, arrived in New Zealand from Mexico in April 2019 with family members, telling Customs officers he was here for a 15-day holiday. But Customs investigations found that he'd previously been in contact with a Mexican-based freight forwarder, and they had negotiated with an Auckland-based fresh produce importer about sending avocado pulp to New Zealand. This fresh produce importer was not involved in the smuggling operation, Customs says.
Evidence also showed Martos had studied aspects of the avocado industry in Mexico, including taking several photos of avocado pulp production and bags of packaged avocado pulp.
On March 27, 2019, a shipment of frozen avocado pulp was imported via air freight from Mexico and addressed to a company in Auckland without any controlled drugs as a trial run, Customs says. A second shipment of frozen avocado pulp was sent via air freight from Mexico on March 30, 2019 and sent to a different Auckland address.
Customs officers examined the 13 polystyrene boxes containing ice packets and sachets of avocado puree and found these boxes had false bottom compartments. Those compartments hid eight packets of methamphetamine wrapped in brown packaging tape and approximately 113kg of the drug was found.
Customs says they arrested Martos in April after he used a hired van to move some of the polystyrene boxes to an Auckland storage unit. He was charged with the importation and possession for supply of the class A controlled drug.
Martos received his prison sentence in the Auckland High Court on Wednesday.
Customs investigations manager Bruce Berry says this methamphetamine seizure was one of the largest at the time.
"Martos and his associates went through a lot of effort to research the industry to try and beat authorities, but Customs' own intelligence and partnership networks meant we were also working equally hard to stop them," he says.
"These organised criminal groups have no regard for the social impact, health costs, and the associated harm that methamphetamine brings on our society. Customs remains dedicated to intercepting such shipments, both here and offshore, and preventing this harm from reaching our communities."
People who have suspicions about someone involved in importing illegal drugs can call 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) in confidence or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously.
