Cocaine worth $11.5m seized at Port of Tauranga, Customs says

Two seizures of cocaine worth $11.5 million were found in refrigerated containers on board a vessel at Port of Tauranga. Photo / Customs

About 33kg of cocaine worth $11.5 million has been seized at the Port of Tauranga.

The two seizures were found in refrigerated containers on board a vessel that originated in Ecuador and transited through Balboa, Panama, before arriving in Tauranga on November 20.

The containers had been risk-assessed as part of standard Customs procedures for all incoming cargo and vessels, a Customs statement said.

Two seizures of cocaine worth $11.5 million were found in refrigerated containers on board a vessel at Port of Tauranga. Photo / Customs

During X-ray screening, Customs officers identified anomalies in the imagery, which led to a physical inspection of the containers and their contents.

Officers found 17 bricks of cocaine in one container and 16 in the other, among legitimate goods.

Customs said it could not confirm if the two seizures were related.

Customs manager maritime Robert Smith said Customs’ focus at New Zealand seaports was disrupting criminal networks and making it harder for organised crime to exploit maritime border and legitimate trade supply routes and shipments.

“This seizure reflects the strength of Customs’ international and domestic intelligence, advanced risk assessment and screening technologies, and the expertise of frontline officers.”

Smith said every action Customs took hit organised crime financially and protected communities.

“Working with police, port companies, and industry partners, we’re building a stronger, more resilient supply chain and hardening our borders.”

Smith said this co-operation ensured New Zealand’s border was an unwelcoming and problematic environment for transnational, serious and organised crime to do business.

Last month a duffle bag containing 21 bricks of cocaine, worth an estimated $7m, was seized from a shipping container at the Port of Tauranga.

Suspicions about potential drug smuggling can be reported confidentially to 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.