Around 150kg of cocaine worth an estimated $58.2 million has been seized from a shipping container destined for New Zealand by Customs officers at the Port of Tauranga.
The container, which arrived from the Jamaican capital of Kingston, was assessed by Customs officers which led to the discovery of six duffel bags packed with bricks of cocaine.
The bricks were marked with an X, the words “good luck”, and a coat of arms bearing the Latin phrase “Custodi Civatem Domine” which translates to Guard the City o Lord.
In the last financial year, Customs officers in Tauranga intercepted 788 kilograms of cocaine, including this latest intercept, worth a combined estimated street value of close to $306 million.
Customs maritime manager Robert Smith said the seizure highlighted Customs’ layered and intelligence-led approach to protecting New Zealand’s maritime border.
“New Zealand is constantly targeted by transnational criminal groups who have no regard for the wellbeing of our families, our whānau, or our communities.
“Their actions are driven by profit, with no concern for the damage they cause to legitimate businesses or to New Zealand’s hard-earned reputation on the world stage.”
Several large seizures at New Zealand ports had taken place this year, Smith said.
“Much of this work would not be possible without the support of our strong domestic partnerships and international networks.
“These relationships enable us to protect the international supply chain and our communities from organised crime groups who are highly motivated to cause harm.”