Customs
US man deported after arriving with medicinal cannabis
A film director was deported from Auckland airport after being caught out by a recent law change banning anyone travelling from America from entering New Zealand with medicinal cannabis. Video, Audio
Drugs worth up to $5m found in false-bottom suitcases
Three people have been arrested for trying to smuggle up to $5m of MDMA through Auckland Airport.
Vanuatu detains ship to verify origin
Vanuatu's customs officials have detained a ship with an all Sri Lankan crew after failing to identify the ship's origin.
Older NZers warned not to fall for drug smugglers' tricks
Customs Minister Nicky Wagner is warning older people of the risk of being targeted by drug smugglers.
Customs get new tool to spot meth and other illegal drugs
Customs officers have gotten their hands on a new tool, which identifies methampetamine and other illegal drugs in seconds. Audio
NZ coast open to drug smugglers
Ciminologist Greg Newbold talks about our 17,000k's of coastline - perfect for drug smugglers. Audio
Somali NZers frustrated at treatment by Customs at airports
Members of New Zealand's Muslim community told RNZ News they are humiliated and treated like criminals at the airport by Customs when returning to the country. David Bennett says Somali members of his… Audio
Police seek fourth man after huge cocaine haul
Police are seeking a fourth man in connection with the country's biggest ever cocaine haul - found in an ornamental horse's head.
Huge cocaine haul found in horse head
An organised crime group is believed to be behind NZ's largest cocaine bust, in which an estimated $14m worth was found in a diamante-encrusted horse head.
Minister dismisses racial profiling claims
Customs does not racially profile passengers entering New Zealand or target them because of their religion, the Minister of Customs says.
Somali NZers regularly searched at Customs, says MP
A government MP says Somali members of his community are routinely stopped and searched by Customs when returning to New Zealand despite posing no security threat. Audio
Minister dismisses racial profiling claims
Customs does not racially profile passengers entering New Zealand or target them because of their religion, the minister says.
Police, Customs seize 1.2kg of meth
What's estimated to be $1.2 million worth of methamphetamine has been intercepted by the police and Customs officials in Manawatu.
Customs lacks resources to patrol NZ seas
Customs says a lack of resources means it cannot patrol almost half the highest risk maritime areas for illegal behaviour such as smuggling and unlawful fishing.
MPI gives green light to lamp
The Ministry for Primary Industries has given the all-clear to a dirt-like substance found in an imported lamp base by a Kerikeri man.
Imported lamp bases filled with foreign dirt
A Kerikeri man is challenging Customs to explain why foreign soil was able to slip into the country in lamp bases filled with dirt to weigh them down. Audio
Drug accused flies away from trial
A man facing serious drugs charges escaped his jury trial because he was mistakenly deported by authorities.
Major law changes to follow Smith inquiry
The government is set to make major changes to prevent another embarrassing international manhunt for an escaped prisoner.
Justice Minister on multiple failings around Smith's escape
More now to the multiple failures by Corrections, Customs and others around murderer and child sex criminal Phillip Smith's escape to Brazil. Audio
Phillip Smith's escape exposes big security gaps
Investigators have found multiple failures by Corrections, Customs and others let murderer and child sex criminal Phillip Smith expose big security gaps and escape to Brazil. Audio