A man has been arrested in Auckland for allegedly smuggling 10kg of an illegal drug known as kamini into the country from India.<\/p>\n
Customs investigators conducted search warrants at a business and home in Auckland after they found the pills concealed in packets of snacks sent from India two months ago.<\/p>\n
The pills were sent for testing and analysis by the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF Science), which certified the pills as kamini, which contained class B and C controlled drugs. <\/p>\n
Kamini, a traditional Indian herbal medicine, is an opioid-containing substance suggested to increase men’s vitality and sexual function and comes with a high risk of dependency.<\/p>\n
It is also referred to as Kamini Vidrawan Ras and commonly contains opium alkaloids such as codeine, morphine, and papaverine.<\/p>\n
The import, supply and possession of kamini without a prescription is prohibited in New Zealand.<\/p>\n
A 66-year man was arrested today and was scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court later this afternoon.<\/p>\n
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Customs chief officer fraud and prohibition Nigel Barnes said the intelligence-led investigation followed the illicit supply chain from the border to distribution in the community.<\/p>\n
“The evidence gathered from this investigation suggests a well-organised illicit operation, which has resulted in the arrest of this man.<\/p>\n
“Customs wants to stop these products from entering New Zealand communities where they can cause harm.”<\/p>\n
Barnes said the public, including New Zealand’s Indian communities, should be advised that importing or possessing kamini without a prescription was prohibited.<\/p>\n
“More than being illegal, it can also have significant consequences on a person\u2019s health.\u201d <\/p>\n