Customs seize $11.5 million worth of cocaine at Port of Tauranga

Thursday 27 November 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Thu 27 Nov 2025, 1:17pm

In this story NZ Customs Service

Customs officers discovered 33kg of cocaine hidden in two refrigerated containers at the Port of Tauranga on 20 November. The drugs were found on a vessel that travelled from Ecuador through Panama. The illicit bricks are estimated to have a street value of $11.5 million.

How they headlined it

12:27pm1:08pm

1. 1NewsThu 27 Nov 2025, 12:27pm

   Thirty-three kilo bricks of cocaine seized at Port of Tauranga (opens in new tab)

2. RNZThu 27 Nov 2025, 1:08pm

   33kgs of cocaine seized at Port of Tauranga (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldThu 27 Nov 2025, 1:17pm

   Cocaine worth $11.5m seized at Port of Tauranga, Customs says (opens in new tab)