Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.om
A routine inspection at a South Auckland facility has led to the seizure of 137 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated $40 million on New Zealand streets.
Police were called to the facility on Tuesday morning after staff became suspicious of several bags inside a shipping container and alerted authorities.
Detective Inspector Karen Bright of Counties Manukau CIB said officers who attended the scene discovered 137 individual bricks of cocaine concealed within the bags.
The shipment, weighing a total of 137kg, is believed to represent approximately 1.37 million doses of the Class A drug.
“This is a significant seizure of cocaine for this country,” Bright said.
A further search of the container uncovered two Glock pistols, ammunition magazines and about 200 rounds of ammunition, adding to concerns about the criminal networks behind the shipment.
Police confirmed the container had arrived in New Zealand from the Netherlands via Balboa, Panama.
The drugs, firearms and ammunition have all been seized, and investigators are now working to identify those responsible for importing the shipment.
“We can confirm the cocaine has been seized, and further enquiries are underway into the shipment at present,” Bright said.
Police are liaising with international law enforcement agencies as the investigation continues and have acknowledged the assistance of New Zealand Customs.
The seizure represents one of the larger cocaine interceptions in recent years and highlights the ongoing efforts of border agencies and police to disrupt organised crime groups attempting to bring illicit drugs into New Zealand.
Authorities say large-scale seizures such as this not only prevent substantial quantities of drugs reaching communities but also strike at the profits of transnational criminal organisations.
The alertness of staff at the South Auckland facility proved crucial in stopping the shipment before it could reach its intended destination.
Investigators have not released further details about the consignee or whether any arrests have been made, saying inquiries remain ongoing.
