Customs has made two seizures of cocaine totalling an estimated 33 kilograms at the Port of Tauranga. The combined street value of this amount is NZ$11.5 million.

Both seizures were found in refrigerated containers on board a vessel that originated in Ecuador and transited through Balboa, Panama, before arriving in Tauranga on 20 November 2025.

The containers had been risk-assessed as part of standard Customs procedures for all incoming cargo and vessels. During x-ray screening, Customs officers identified anomalies in the imagery, which led to a physical inspection of the containers and their contents.

Inside the containers, among legitimate goods, Customs officers located 17 bricks of cocaine in one container, and 16 in the other. At this stage, Customs cannot confirm whether the two seizures are related.

Customs Manager Maritime, Robert Smith, says Customs’ focus at New Zealand seaports is disrupting criminal networks and making it harder for organised crime to exploit our maritime border and legitimate trade supply routes and shipments.

“This seizure reflects the strength of Customs’ international and domestic intelligence, advanced risk assessment and screening technologies, and the expertise of frontline officers. Every action we take hits organised crime financially and protects our communities.”

“Working with Police, port companies, and industry partners, we’re building a stronger, more resilient supply chain and hardening our borders.

“This cooperation ensures New Zealand’s border is an unwelcoming and problematic environment for transnational, serious and organised crime to do business,” Mr Smith says.

Customs urges industry stakeholders and the public to remain vigilant and play a part in stopping organised crime. Suspicions about potential drug smuggling can be reported confidentially to 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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