Customs officers at the Port of Tauranga have seized a staggering $15.75 million worth of cocaine, a significant blow to transnational criminal groups attempting to exploit New Zealand's sea border. The 45kg of cocaine was hidden among legitimate goods in a container that originated in Houston, US, and travelled via Balboa, Panama before arriving in Tauranga on December 4. The container had been risk-assessed prior to arrival as part of Customs' standard screening procedures for all incoming sea cargo. During X-Ray screening, officers detected anomalies and carried out a physical search of the container. Hidden among legitimate goods, they found two plastic-wrapped bags holding 45 one-kilogram cocaine bricks. The bricks featured various brandings, including Volvo, Porsche, and an image of a hamster wearing a crown. Customs manager maritime Robert Smith said the seizure reflected continued efforts to disrupt transnational criminal groups attempting to exploit New Zealand’s sea border. "This cocaine seizure demonstrates the ongoing work of Customs frontline officers who continue to put pressure on criminal networks, making it harder for them to operate through our seaports," Smith said. "It also reinforces the value of Customs’ intelligence-driven, multi-layered approach to protecting New Zealand’s borders. Every seizure we make strengthens our intelligence and our ability to target criminal networks." Smith said Customs would continue to work closely with industry partners across ports, shipping, and logistics, and would encourage staff to report suspicious activity through the Border Protect programme.
