Tragic Death Sparks Major Drug Bust in New Zealand

A tragic incident in Auckland, New Zealand, resulted in the death of a young man after he consumed what he believed to be Canadian beer, only to discover it contained liquid methamphetamine. This incident has triggered the largest drug bust in the country’s history.

On March 2, 2023, 21-year-old Aiden Sagara opened a tall can of Honey Bear Beer, a gift from his boss, after returning home from work, according to CTV News.

After taking a sip, Sagara questioned his brother-in-law, Billy, whether the beer tasted salty. Billy, trying the same can, quickly spat it out, recalling it tasted like “sea salt with chemicals.” He admitted he hadn’t fully swallowed any of it.

Shortly after, Sagara expressed feelings of impending doom. He became increasingly distressed and began yelling for his mother, saying things like, “I want my mom, I’m dying,” which deeply affected Billy.

In a panic, Billy called his wife, who is also Sagara’s sister, Angela. As a doctor, she promptly called for an ambulance and started performing CPR. Reports indicate it took around an hour for paramedics to arrive at the scene.

Angela remembered Sagara pleading with her, saying, “Sister, I’m going to die,” to which she reassured him he would be okay. Unfortunately, he fell into a coma due to organ failure from a lethal dose of methamphetamine and passed away five days later.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Angela spoke about the pain of reliving her brother’s final moments, “It’s very painful to relive the fact that those were my brother’s last words. He took his last breath in my arms that day.”

Following the incident, an investigation led police to a storage facility with around 700 kilograms of liquid meth. Authorities arrested Sagara’s boss, Himajit “Jimmy” Kahlon, who was reportedly seen taking a case of beer from the unit. He faces charges for his role in the processing of liquid meth into crystals, while officials revealed he mistakenly included a can of meth in the beer case he distributed.

Additionally, Bhartej Singh, a supermarket owner who imported about 29,000 cans of counterfeit beer and other goods from Toronto, was also arrested.

Detective Superintendent Greg Williams noted that the price of methamphetamine in New Zealand is significantly higher than in other regions. The street value of the confiscated meth was estimated at around $210 million, with one kilogram fetching nearly $300,000.

Kahlon received a 21-year prison sentence for manslaughter in February 2025, while Singh was sentenced to 22 years for various drug-related charges.

The seizure marks an unprecedented drug bust in New Zealand. Critics have raised concerns about the lack of charges in Canada relating to the export of the drug responsible for Sagara’s death. Billy voiced his frustration, insisting that those involved should face strict consequences. “This is murder,” he stated. “To be honest, I think this is murder.”