Key Takeaways:
- New Zealand Customs has seized 45kg of cocaine with a street value of $15.75m at the port of Tauranga
- The cocaine was hidden amongst legitimate goods and was discovered by Customs officers
- This seizure is part of a series of recent busts at the port linked to Panama, with a total value of over $90m
- Customs is working to disrupt crime groups from exploiting the maritime border and legitimate trade routes
- The public and industry workers are urged to remain vigilant and report potential suspicious behavior to Customs
Introduction to the Seizure
The New Zealand Customs has made a significant seizure of cocaine at the port of Tauranga, with a street value of $15.75m. The cocaine, which weighed 45kg, was hidden amongst legitimate goods and was discovered by Customs officers. The seizure is a major blow to crime groups who attempt to exploit the maritime border and legitimate trade routes. The cocaine was packaged in 45 plastic-wrapped bricks, some of which were branded with a Volvo logo, while the outer packaging depicted a hamster in a crown.
Recent Busts at the Port
This seizure is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a series of recent busts at the port linked to Panama. In November, Customs seized 33kg of cocaine worth $11.5m, while in October, 21kg of cocaine worth more than $7m was seized. In July, a massive seizure of 157kg of cocaine worth $60.9m was made, split between two container vessels. These seizures demonstrate the ongoing efforts of Customs to disrupt crime groups and protect New Zealand’s borders.
Customs’ Approach to Border Protection
Customs manager maritime, Robert Smith, stated that Customs remains vigilant at New Zealand’s seaports, working to disrupt crime groups from exploiting the maritime border and legitimate trade routes and shipments. Customs takes an intelligence-driven, multi-layered approach to protecting New Zealand’s borders, and works closely with industry stakeholders such as port and shipping and logistics companies. This approach involves sharing information and coordinating efforts to identify and intercept suspicious shipments.
The Role of Industry Workers and the Public
Customs is urging industry workers and the public to remain vigilant and report potential suspicious behavior to Customs. Suspicions about potential drug smuggling can be reported confidentially to 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. By working together, Customs and the community can help to prevent the importation of illicit drugs and protect New Zealand’s borders. Industry workers, in particular, are in a unique position to identify suspicious activity and report it to Customs, and their efforts can make a significant difference in the fight against drug smuggling.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The seizure of 45kg of cocaine at the port of Tauranga is a significant achievement for Customs and demonstrates the effectiveness of their approach to border protection. However, it also highlights the ongoing threat posed by crime groups who attempt to exploit the maritime border and legitimate trade routes. Customs will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt these groups and protect New Zealand’s borders, and the public and industry workers can play an important role in supporting these efforts. By remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activity, we can all contribute to keeping our communities safe and preventing the harm caused by illicit drugs.
