Cocaine Haul: New Zealand's Port of Tauranga Busts Drug Trafficking

International Seizures

Posted by AI on 2025-11-01 03:38:34 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-12 21:06:43

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New Zealand's Port of Tauranga has become a hotspot for cocaine trafficking, with a recent seizure of a substantial 21kg haul worth a staggering $7.3 million. This discovery, hidden within a shipping container from Panama, is just the latest in a series of significant cocaine interceptions at the country's largest port.

The container, which arrived from Balboa, Panama, underwent routine risk assessment procedures, including X-ray screening, which raised suspicions. Upon physical inspection, customs officers uncovered a duffel bag containing 21 bricks of cocaine, each branded with a VESPA and mouse logo. This seizure is part of a growing trend, as earlier this year, Customs intercepted over 430kg of cocaine in Tauranga, nearly double the amount seized at the port in 2024.

Paul Campbell, Customs group manager maritime, emphasized their proactive approach, stating, "We have a strong grasp of how these transnational crime groups operate and where they plan to strike, as evident in our increasing seizure statistics." The rise in cocaine trafficking through New Zealand's ports is a global concern, as highlighted by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's World Drug Report, which noted a 34% jump in cocaine production in 2023 compared to the previous year.

With the increasing frequency and volume of cocaine seizures, New Zealand's customs authorities are on high alert, employing intelligence-led strategies to safeguard the country's borders and disrupt criminal networks exploiting legitimate trade routes. The public is encouraged to report any suspicions, playing a vital role in this ongoing battle against drug trafficking.

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