Mother and Son Fined $5,000 for Attempting to Smuggle 18kg of Pounamu from Auckland Airport
Custom officers stop mother, son from illegally exporting 18kg of pounamu, pair fined $5,000

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A mother and son were fined $5,000 for attempting to illegally export 18kg of pounamu from Auckland International Airport. This case marks the first conviction by Customs for pounamu smuggling, as the legal export limit is set at 5kg without special permission.
- 01The mother is 54 years old, and the son is 28 years old.
- 02The illegal export attempt occurred on July 1, 2024.
- 03The legal limit for exporting pounamu is 5kg unless authorized by the Minister of Customs.
- 04The son had previously inquired about exporting pounamu after his father attempted a similar action.
- 05This case represents the first conviction for illegal pounamu export by Customs.
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In a landmark ruling, a mother and son were fined $5,000 for attempting to illegally export 18kg of pounamu, a protected stone, from Auckland International Airport. The Manukau District Court imposed the fine after the pair was discovered during a baggage search on July 1, 2024. The legal limit for exporting pounamu in any form is 5kg, unless special permission is granted by the Minister of Customs. During the investigation, the 28-year-old son admitted to being aware of the export limit but failed to obtain the necessary consent. Notably, Customs records revealed that he had previously contacted the border authority regarding an earlier incident where his father attempted to take pounamu on a flight to China in May 2024. This case is significant as it marks the first successful prosecution by Customs for illegal pounamu export, highlighting the enforcement of regulations surrounding this culturally significant stone.
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This case underscores the importance of adhering to export regulations for culturally significant materials.
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