Toner cartridge drug smuggler jailed
September 21, 2018
A 28-year-old Canadian man has been sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for importing 17.9 kilograms of methamphetamine into New Zealand inside toner cartridges.
Scoop reports that Jingyuan Zhang arrived in Auckland with a companion in January of this year, and in March received a mail consignment from the USA. Upon examination by New Zealand Customs officials, “finely-powdered” methamphetamine was found in 12 toner cartridges, with a street value of up to NZ$9 million ($6.01 million/€5.11 million), leading officers to trace and arrest Zhang.
Zhang was renting short-term accommodation whilst in the South Pacific nation, a tactic described as common among criminal syndicates by Michael Blades, Customs’ Acting Group Manager for Intelligence, Investigations & Enforcement.
“If you have concerns about anyone renting short-term accommodation and making out-of-the ordinary enquiries about receiving packages, they can be reported in confidence to 0800 4 CUSTOMS or to Crime stoppers,” Blades said. “While we’re always fine-tuning our risk assessments of travellers and packages entering the country, the public can help us protect our communities from illegal drugs.”
Zhang’s sentence was handed down by the Manukau District Court. He will serve at least half of it, before facing possible deportation.
Categories : Around the Industry
Tags : Canada Crime Drugs New Zealand Sentencing
