A young New Zealander died after sipping what he thought was craft beer. The can held liquid meth—triggering the country’s biggest meth bust and fresh asset seizures.
A 21-year-old, Aiden Sagala, died after taking a mouthful from a can labeled “Honey Bear House Beer.” It wasn’t beer. Authorities say the can contained concentrated liquid methamphetamine. His death set off a sweeping, multi-agency investigation that exposed a large drug-smuggling pipeline and led to arrests, major convictions, and—most recently—millions of dollars in restrained assets.
- Victim: Aiden Sagala, 21, died shortly after tasting the “beer.”
- What was in the can: Highly concentrated liquid meth disguised as craft beer.
- Origin: Shipment traced back to Canada, disguised as legitimate beverages.
- Scale: Thousands of cans/bottles used; case tied to New Zealand’s largest meth bust.
- Legal action: A workplace manager was later convicted of manslaughter and drug offenses.
- New move: Police have restrained ~NZ$36M in Auckland properties linked to the probe.
Police say the “Honey Bear” shipment was part of a covert import scheme hiding meth inside beverage containers. To maintain the appearance of normal stock, some cans reportedly contained real drinks while others carried dissolved meth. Because the products weren’t compliant with local labeling rules, slabs of the supposed beer were given away—a choice that raised the risk of unsuspecting people tasting a contaminated can.
Investigators widened the case under Operation Lavender. They uncovered a plan that allegedly used tens of thousands of containers—including “Honey Bear” cans and even kombucha bottles—to move drugs. The volume was staggering and, according to police, connected to the largest methamphetamine seizure in New Zealand history. Evidence presented in court included toxicology results showing extreme meth concentrations capable of causing catastrophic poisoning after just a sip.
The criminal phase brought swift consequences. A jury found Himatjit “Jimmy” Kahlon—then a manager at a major dairy company—guilty of manslaughter in Sagala’s death, alongside serious drug charges. Prosecutors argued he distributed the imported “beer” and was involved in the wider operation. His defense claimed he had been deceived. The verdict underscored how a seemingly minor act—handing out a free “craft beer”—can become a fatal link in a global trafficking chain.
In the civil phase, authorities have now restrained multiple properties in Auckland valued at roughly NZ$36 million under proceeds-of-crime laws. Police say the move targets individuals and a company alleged to have benefited from the smuggling enterprise, aiming to strip profits from organized networks.
For Sagala’s family, the loss is immeasurable. Their public calls for accountability helped keep pressure on investigators to follow every lead. For the wider public, the case is a stark warning: sophisticated smuggling operations can make deadly substances look harmless. What appears to be a trendy drink can, in rare but devastating cases, be a toxic container for liquid meth.
What to do: If you encounter suspicious “promo” beverages or any drink with missing/foreign labels, do not taste-test. Contact local authorities and seek medical advice if exposure is suspected.
