Customs officers have recently seized 48kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $16.8 million, from a refrigerated container at the Port of Tauranga.

The drugs were hidden within the insulated lining in the roof of a refrigerated container carrying legitimate goods from Balboa, Panama.

Unlike the “rip-on, rip-off” method where drugs are concealed inside the container, these drugs were hidden between the inner ceiling and the top of the container in the insulated roof lining.

Customs maritime group manager Paul Campbell said there is increasing complexity in concealment methods being used by transnational and serious organised criminal groups as they become more sophisticated in how they hide drugs.

“This method of concealment signals the lengths crime groups are going to in attempting to move drugs through the supply chain.

“It reflects a deliberate effort to exploit commercial pathways and reinforces that while we are making it harder for them, we must constantly evolve how we detect and disrupt these threats.”

Campbell said this result demonstrates the skill and commitment of Customs officers, whose rigorous and ongoing training together with supporting technology enables them to identify complex concealments of drugs.

“Customs will continue to apply sustained pressure at the maritime border and is committed to making New Zealand’s seaports a hostile environment for criminal networks.”

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.

Cocaine use in NZ

Until relatively recently, cocaine was something of a rarity in New Zealand, explained Massey University Professor Chris Wilkins, leader of the drug research team at SHORE & Whariki Research Centre.

“In those times that you most associate with cocaine in the 80s and 90s, New Zealand really didn’t have almost any cocaine,” he said.

But things have changed – a global glut has now led to a surge in demand in New Zealand.

Police recently released wastewater testing figures that showed cocaine use has hit an all-time high.

The latest wastewater figures were collected between October and December last year, and testing sites cover up to 77% of Aotearoa’s total population.

While cocaine use is still lower overall than methamphetamine or cannabis, it’s the size of the rise that has drawn attention.

Cocaine nearly doubled in a year, rising to an estimated 9.4kg of use per week – 98%, or 4.7kg, above the average amount consumed in the previous four quarters, according to the figures.

“We are seen as a lucrative albeit small market” for cocaine dealers, said Sarah Helm, executive director of the New Zealand Drug Foundation.

NZ Police Assistant Commissioner Corrie Parnell told RNZ in April that there’s a “strong demand” for cocaine.

The New Zealand Drug Trends Survey is an anonymous online survey of 8883 people conducted in 2025 and designed to provide an annual snapshot of drug market trends. It’s not a representative sample but is described as “broadly representing the demographic profile and regional population distribution” of New Zealand.