It wasn't just the twinkling diamante sequins covering this horse head sculpture that attracted the attention of New Zealand customs officers.
A closer look revealed 35 kilos of cocaine hidden inside worth an estimated 10 million U.S. dollars
"There is a significant organised crime group offshore that will be responsible for this and who have now lost a whole lot of money," an official said.
New Zealand broadcaster TVNZ says an American and a Mexican were arrested trying to board a flight to Hawaii on July 1st.
Another man from Mexico was held following a police search at an apartment block in Christchurch a day later.