Kiwis arrested over $12m Aussie drug plot

Two New Zealanders face serious charges after police in Australia and Papua New Guinea busted a plot to allegedly smuggle more than $12 million worth of cannabis into Australia.

Patrick Laurence Barr, 29, was released on bail when he appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court this week charged with conspiracy to import drugs, The Herald on Sunday reported.

A 27-year-old New Zealander, who has not been named, is also charged with conspiracy to import drugs and with money laundering.

The arrests came after Australian Federal Police and customs officials raided a property last Saturday and seized cannabis cultivating equipment. At the same time, police in Papua New Guinea discovered 18.9kg of cannabis allegedly bound for Australia.

- NZPA