New Zealand Customs officers discovered 21 bricks of cocaine concealed in brown wrapping within the external engine of a refrigerated container entering the port of Tauranga on Sunday.
- Customs officers found 21 bricks of cocaine inside a refrigerated container engine at Tauranga.
- The seizure follows a drug bust where police recovered 250kg of cocaine worth $80m.
- Authorities urge public vigilance, offering confidential reporting channels via Crimestoppers and Customs.
Every day thousands of shipments carrying goods for businesses and consumers move through these entry points, according to New Zealand Customs. The latest interception highlights how transnational criminal syndicates attempt to bypass border controls.
“When criminal groups exploit legitimate supply chains, they put the security and integrity of our trade network at risk,” an official said, noting that such activities remain costly to ports, shipping companies, and businesses.
Customs emphasizes that border protection extends beyond merely seizing contraband. The core mission involves safeguarding local communities and enabling the efficient, safe flow of legitimate international trade.
This discovery follows two major drug busts executed in the Auckland region within a single week in October. During the first major incident, authorities seized an estimated $80m worth of cocaine hidden among legitimate cargo from Brazil.
Customs officers at the Port of Tauranga initially located 10 duffel bags containing 250kg of the Class A drug inside that shipment. Authorities tracked the container as it moved down to Auckland under close surveillance.
Police reported that three men were apprehended while allegedly attempting to extract the cocaine and transfer it into a van. A fourth suspect, acting as a lookout, was arrested nearby shortly after.
Investigators subsequently executed six search warrants across various residential addresses in Auckland. Officers recovered four high-powered firearms at one location, leading to the arrest of a fifth individual.
Five men aged 29, 31, 32, 36, and 41 now face multiple serious charges. Each has been formally charged with possession of cocaine for supply, possession of firearms, and participation in an organized criminal group.
All five defendants have made their initial appearance in the Auckland District Court. This coordinated enforcement effort was tracked under the banner of Operation Toucan, a joint initiative by the National Organised Crime Group and Customs.
In a separate operation representing the second-largest drug haul of the period, officers recovered about $40m worth of cocaine in South Auckland. Staff at a local facility contacted authorities after discovering suspicious bags inside a shipping container.
That specific haul weighed 137kg and consisted of 137 individual bricks of the Class A substance. Police confirmed that investigations into these interconnected importation networks remain ongoing, leaving the door open for further arrests.
| Operation / Incident | Location | Estimated Value | Quantity Recovered |
|---|---|---|---|
| October Brazil Shipment | Port of Tauranga / Auckland | $80m | 250kg (10 duffel bags) |
| South Auckland Facility | South Auckland | $40m | 137kg (137 bricks) |
| November Container Engine | Port of Tauranga | Unspecified | 21 bricks |
Police told the NZ Herald that Customs maintains the authority to charge and prosecute offenders under multiple legislative frameworks. These include the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and the Crimes Act 1961.
Authorities urge industry workers and members of the public to remain vigilant against suspicious shipping activities. Anyone with information can report suspicions confidentially to 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
