An attempted drug smuggling through the Port of Tauranga has led to a discovery of 35kg worth of cocaine by Customs.
Bricks of cocaine were discovered in the engine compartment of a refrigerated shipping container loaded with bananas which arrived from Panama on Thursday 9 November.
The drugs were seized by Customs during an inspection routine operation of high-risk vessels and shipments.
Customs group manager maritime Paul Campbell believes the result comes from well-targeted and regular verification checks on border shipments.
"Customs is extremely proud of the work both frontline officers and our support teams do every day to intercept the smuggling efforts of transnational organised crime groups who aim to exploit our communities and profit from the harm they inflict through their trafficking," Campbell said in a statement.
It's estimated the cocaine could have produced approximately 350,000 individual doses worth a total estimated street value of up to $15.7 million. Based on the National Drug Harm Index, this seizure has prevented around $10.5 of harm in New Zealand communities.
The seizure comes just two weeks after 140 kilograms of cocaine was seized from a shipping container at the Port of Auckland.
"There is an economic cost with this criminal behaviour that includes disruption to legitimate activity on New Zealand's ports," Campbell said.
"While Customs risk assesses all incoming shipments and vessels, the time involved for physical searches is significant.
"Clearance of other legitimate shipments becomes inevitably slower while we undertake inspections for suspect containers."
He said although it is "time-consuming work", Customs and port operators "understand it has to happen to stop the criminal activity that threatens New Zealand's supply chain".
Port of Tauranga CEO Leonard Sampson said the port was keen to support Customs' operations in any way possible, even at the risk of causing delays to legitimate cargo.
"Port of Tauranga and our customers understand the value of the work done by Customs and New Zealand Police to protect our communities from harm," Sampson said.
"Our security and operations teams are highly focused on safety and preventing any illegal activity at our port."
Anyone who has concerns about possible smuggling behaviour is urged to contact Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
