Customs seizes $15.75m of cocaine at Port of Tauranga

Monday 8 December 2025 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Mon 8 Dec 2025, 4:31pm

In this story NZ Customs Service

Customs officers intercepted 45kg of cocaine hidden in a shipping container at the Port of Tauranga on 4 December. The container originated in Houston, USA, and travelled via Panama. The seized bricks, valued at approximately $15.75 million, featured various brandings including a hamster wearing a crown.

How they headlined it

3:48pm4:26pm

1. StuffMon 8 Dec 2025, 3:48pm

   Customs seizes 45kg of cocaine hidden in Tauranga shipping container (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsMon 8 Dec 2025, 3:54pm

   Customs officers seize $15.75m of cocaine at Port of Tauranga (opens in new tab)

3. NZ HeraldMon 8 Dec 2025, 4:26pm

   Customs seizes cocaine worth nearly $16m from container at Port of Tauranga (opens in new tab)

4. RNZMon 8 Dec 2025, 4:31pm

   'Anomalies' lead Customs to $15m cocaine bust (opens in new tab)