‘Significant’ discovery of 137kg of cocaine

An investigation is underway after the discovery of an estimated $40 million concealment of cocaine in Auckland.

Police were called to a facility in the south Auckland area on Tuesday morning.

“Staff at the facility were suspicious of several bags inside the container and notified authorities,” Detective Inspector Karen Bright, of Counties Manukau CIB says.

“Our staff attended and located 137 individual bricks of cocaine, concealed inside several bags in the container.”

All up the discovery weighed in at 137 kilograms, which is around 1.37m doses. It has an estimated street value of around $40m.

Detective Inspector Bright says a further search also located two Glock pistols, ammunition magazines and around 200 rounds of ammunition.

Police can confirm the shipment arrived from the Netherlands via Balboa, Panama.

“This is a significant seizure of cocaine for this country,” Detective Inspector Bright says.

“We can confirm the cocaine has been seized, and further enquiries are underway into the shipment at present.

“Police will be liaising with international law enforcement partners, and we acknowledge the assistance of New Zealand Customs with our enquiries so far.”