NZ man jailed for receiving narcotics parcels from China

An Auckland man, sentenced to four and a half years Wednesday for his role in smuggling methamphetamine precursor drugs from China, was being used by an organized crime gang, said Customs officials.

Thomas Latu, 23, had imported 3.2 kg of ContacNT hidden inside tin foil parcels and security cameras, said a statement from New Zealand Customs.

The amount of ContacNT could have yielded nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine with a street value of up to 1 million NZ dollars ($783,883).

In February last year, Customs officers linked Latu to a number of drug consignments couriered from China and raided his home, where they found more evidence of his involvement.

Latu admitted he was to be paid 500 NZ dollars ($392) for each package.

Customs manager investigations Maurice O'Brien said this was another example of a catcher enticed with cash and gifts to collect packages for an organized syndicate.

"The public is also urged to be wary that criminals operate this way. Don't allow other people to use your address or accept packages for them unless you are confident of its contents," O' Brien said in the statement.

Last week, the New Zealand Police named their second police envoy to China, saying they were hoping to build on a string of anti-drug smuggling operations with Chinese counterparts.

Then Police Minister Anne Tolley said in April that Customs and Police staff would also travel to China to take part in targeted operations and to increase the level of engagement with Chinese enforcement agencies.