A brick of cocaine. Photo: Supplied / Customs
More than $50 million worth of cocaine has been seized in the Port of Tauranga by Customs.
Officers made the discovery on Monday while inspecting a suspicious shipping container loaded with machinery which had arrived from Italy, via Panama.
X-rays and a physical examination by Customs officers revealed 130 bricks of cocaine, each weighing up to one kilogram, found within duffel bags at the front of the container.
It's estimated the cocaine would be worth up to $50.44 million.
Customs manager maritime Robert Smith said bricks of cocaine each had a picture of a lion on the outside and were branded 'GGG'.
"Ongoing pressure from Customs is making it harder for transnational and serious organised crime (TSOC) groups to operate across the country," he said.
"Things are only going to get tougher for them with new investments in our technology and capability.
"This seizure is a result of our intelligence processes, leading-edge technology and officer know-how, which enables Customs to keep our borders secure and prevent TSOC groups profiting from communities."
Cocaine found by Customs. Photo: Supplied / Customs
Smith said the discovery proved the value of the partnerships between port authorities, police and traders.
"These relationships equip us to respond collaboratively, quickly and effectively to the threat of drug smuggling. The impact to trade and importers' business by organised crime should not be underestimated. These activities not only impact the speed and costs of imports but damage New Zealand's reputation as a trading nation.
"Cooperation across government and industry is strengthening our border and we will continue to evolve and adapt to target this threat," Smith said.
It's the second drug bust of it's kind this month at the Port of Tauranga, with Customs intercepting 157 kilograms of cocaine worth up to NZ$60.9 million in three separate containers.
