Customs identified a container of interest aboard a vessel en route from Central America to Auckland, via Tauranga. The vessel arrived at the port on Saturday, 5 September. Customs officers removed the container for X-ray screening, which showed anomalies. The container was then moved to a secure location for examination.
During the examination, officers located two duffle bags on top of legitimate cargo. Inside the bags were 44 wrapped packages. Testing confirmed positive for methamphetamine.
The concealment is consistent with the "rip-on/rip-off" method used by transnational organised crime groups to place illicit drugs within legitimate cargo.
Customs Maritime Operations Manager Northern, Robert Smith says organised crime causes harm well beyond the illicit drugs it attempts to smuggle.
“Criminal groups exploit legitimate businesses and cargo to support their illegal trade, with no regard for the commercial damage, disruption, or risk they leave behind.
“Customs will continue to combine intelligence-led targeting, frontline expertise and technology to detect and disrupt criminal activity at the border, protect legitimate trade and make New Zealand an increasingly difficult and high-risk place for organised crime groups to operate.”
Customs urges industry workers and the public to remain vigilant and help 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.
