Anthony Hawker (above) recruited Reghan Laurie as a catcher for high-value drug importations. PHOTO: ROB KIDDDays after a Dunedin masters student was announced as a scholarship recipient, he was arrested in a sting on an international drug-trafficking syndicate. Across only six weeks, New Zealand and US Customs seized more than $4 million of party drugs concealed in various products. Police had their lead, and Customs identified another parcel which had been delivered to a Dunedin nail salon the same month. When Customs seized a drug-laden package, they would search for previous consignments to or from those parties, which led them to other shipments that had slipped the net.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 10, 2026 20:09 UTC