Police have arrested five men and seized 250kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $80 million after an overseas tip-off, in what they say is the second large cocaine bust in Auckland this week.
The seizure was the result of a joint National Organised Crime Group and Customs investigation, Operation Toucan, police said.
Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said the cocaine was imported into New Zealand concealed within a shipping container that originated from Brazil. The container entered the country through the Port of Tauranga, where Customs officers found cocaine bricks in 10 duffel bags hidden inside a legitimate cargo consignment.
"The container was then transported to Auckland under the watchful eye of authorities," Gollan said.
Three men were arrested in the early hours of Thursday as they allegedly attempted to remove the cocaine from the container and transfer it to a van, according to police. A fourth man, believed to have been acting as a lookout, was arrested nearby. Police then executed six search warrants across Auckland, seizing four high-powered firearms at one address and arresting a fifth man.
The five men, aged 29, 31, 32, 36 and 41, appeared in Auckland District Court charged with possession of cocaine for supply, possession of firearms, and participation in an organised criminal group.
The Federal Police of Brazil assisted the operation. Customs acting investigations manager Nigel Barnes said the operation highlighted "the value of strong domestic and international collaboration to combat transnational, serious and organised crime, while protecting New Zealand's legitimate supply chains".
“This operation began offshore, with intelligence from our international partners alerting us to the shipment before it reached New Zealand,” Gollan said.
Gollan said the seizure represents more than $90 million in social harm. The investigation is ongoing, and police and Customs are not ruling out further arrests or additional charges.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The seizure removes a large quantity of cocaine from New Zealand streets, potentially reducing supply and related harm.
- It demonstrates the effectiveness of international cooperation in intercepting drug shipments before they reach their destination.
- The arrests and charges signal ongoing law enforcement focus on organised criminal groups involved in drug trafficking.
Background
New Zealand has seen several large cocaine seizures in recent years, with authorities increasingly targeting maritime smuggling routes. This week's bust is the second significant seizure in Auckland, reflecting sustained attention on the Port of Tauranga and Auckland as entry points for illicit drugs.
Key Perspectives
Detective Inspector Tom Gollan (New Zealand Police): Said the operation was a joint investigation with Customs and that the seizure represents more than $90 million in social harm. He noted the container was tracked from Tauranga to Auckland before arrests were made.
Customs Acting Investigations Manager Nigel Barnes: Emphasised the role of international intelligence sharing, saying the operation began offshore with a tip-off from overseas partners. He highlighted the importance of collaboration to protect supply chains.
What to Watch
- Whether further arrests or charges are made as the investigation continues.
- Any connection between this seizure and other recent drug busts in Auckland.
- Potential updates on the origins of the cocaine and the international network behind it.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedFive men were arrested in Auckland.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Police have arrested five men and seized 250kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $80m after an overseas tip-off.”
- SupportedThe cocaine seizure had an estimated street value of $80 million.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Police have arrested five men and seized 250kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $80m after an overseas tip-off.”
- SupportedPolice seized 250kg of cocaine found in a shipping container that originated in Brazil.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said the cocaine was imported into New Zealand, concealed within a shipping container that originated from Brazil.”
- SupportedThe seizure followed an overseas tip-off.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Police have arrested five men and seized 250kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $80m after an overseas tip-off.”
- SupportedPolice described it as Auckland’s second large cocaine seizure that week.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “It's the second large seizure of cocaine in Auckland this week, and the result of a joint National Organised Crime Group and Customs investigation, known as Operation Toucan, police said.”
- SupportedThe container was transported to Auckland under the watchful eye of authorities.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “"The container was then transported to Auckland under the watchful eye of authorities."”
- SupportedThree men were arrested in the early hours of Thursday while allegedly attempting to remove the cocaine and transfer it to a van.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Gollan said three men were arrested in the early hours of Thursday as they allegedly attempted to remove the cocaine from the container and transfer it to a van.”
- SupportedA fourth man believed to be a lookout was arrested nearby.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “A fourth man, believed to have been acting as a lookout, was arrested nearby.”
- SupportedPolice executed six search warrants across Auckland, seized four high-powered firearms at one address and arrested a fifth man.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Police then executed six search warrants across Auckland, and seized four high-powered firearms at one address, and arrested a fifth man.”
- SupportedThe five men, aged 29, 31, 32, 36 and 41, appeared in Auckland District Court charged with the listed offences.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “The five men, aged 29, 31, 32, 36,and 41, have appeared in Auckland District Court charged with possession of cocaine for supply, possession of firearms, and participation in an organised criminal group.”
- SupportedCustoms acting investigations manager Nigel Barnes said the operation highlighted the value of collaboration to combat serious and organised crime and protect legitimate supply chains.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “"the value of strong domestic and international collaboration to combat transnational, serious and organised crime, while protecting New Zealand's legitimate supply chains" Customs acting investigations manager Nigel Barnes said.”
- SupportedGollan said the seizure represented more than $90 million in social harm.RNZ New Zealand Headlines: “Gollan said the seizure represents more than $90m in social harm.”