Custom officers found secret compartments underneath the sachets of avocado. They contained more than 100 kg of meth, which Justice Whata said was a “significant amount”.
According to police figures from 2019, the methamphetamine would have had a street value of about $56.5 million.
The meth was replaced with a placebo by Customs officers, and Martos arrived in New Zealand with his wife and two children on April 7 that year.
On April 10, Martos unloaded the avocado boxes and placed them in a storage unit after removing what he believed were the drugs, the court heard.
Martos was then charged by Customs.
Crown prosecutor Robin McCoubrey said Martos had been actively involved with the importation of the drugs.