15 Sep 2016

Auckland plasterer jailed over drugs import

5:20 pm on 15 September 2016

An Auckland man has been sentenced to five years in jail for importing the ingredients to make $8 million worth of methamphetamine.

Drugs concealed and declared as paper packaging.

Drugs concealed and declared as paper packaging. Photo: Supplied / Customs

Sarawood Aemort was arrested after Customs intercepted packages sent from China, between December and January.

The 32-year-old Auckland plasterer declared the packages as computer desks, toning machines and packaging paper, but inside officers found close to 12kg of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the precursors to manufacture methamphetamine, and the 12kg Aemort imported had the potential to make up to 8kg of methamphetamine.

The Auckland District Court was told that during a search of his house, a set of scales and more than $130,000 cash were also found.