New Zealand Customs has played an important role in an international operation which led to the seizure of more than half a tonne of cocaine destined for Australian shores, officials confirmed this week.
The operation, which ran across April and May, targeted the increasingly popular “Rip” method of concealment, where drugs are hidden in or extracted from legitimate shipping containers, often with the help of corrupt port insiders.
Authorities from New Zealand, Jamaica, the United States, and French territories – including New Caledonia and French Polynesia – worked together to track suspicious containers as they moved through international shipping routes.
As part of the operation, officers deployed advanced data visualisation tools, real-time intelligence sharing, and both traditional and emerging inspection technologies to detect narcotics hidden deep within container infrastructure.
Customs NZ maritime manager Robert Smith said New Zealand was the final checkpoint in the operation.
“When the containers deemed suspicious arrived at the New Zealand border, Customs officers at the frontline of our defence used a layered approach using intelligence information and targeting, border technologies and good old-fashioned determination to carry out a physical search and examination.”
He said Customs contributions included not just physical inspections but sharing valuable intelligence back to international partners.
“International operations require considerable coordination and cooperation, and we do this well when comes to securing our borders. New Zealand is one piece of the puzzle when it comes to combating transnational serious and organised crime.”
Smith said international collaboration make it harder for transnational criminals to operate.
“A seizure like this is a win for all combating transnational organised crime.”
Successful intercepts resulting from the operation included 142kg of cocaine found hidden in insulation panels inside a refrigeration unit in French Polynesia; 67kg seized in New Caledonia behind container panels; and more than 285kg discovered across three separate seizures from shipping containers in Melbourne.
Australian Border Force (ABF) international commander Claire Rees said the Rip method was becoming “hugely popular” for drug smuggling.
“It is only a possible strategy due to the increase of trusted insiders and criminal infiltration throughout the global supply chain.
“The operation is one of many examples of ABFs commitment to deepening our connection and capabilities with our international counterparts and our valued industry partners.”
