Cocaine trail leads to end of the road for importing syndicate

An OFCANZ led operation staffed by Police and Customs has disrupted a cocaine importing syndicate into New Zealand.

Auckland Customs staff seized a 3.7 kilo haul of cocaine at the border last week. The cocaine was worth over $1 million.

As a result of a surveillance operation five people have been arrested

Four of those arrested are charged with importing a Class A controlled drug and possession of a Class A controlled drug. They include a 43 year old man from Mexico, a 26 year old Auckland woman, a 30 year old Auckland man and a 34 year old Wellington man.

A 36 year old Wanaka man was charged in Christchurch this morning with importing a Class A controlled drug.

Detective Inspector Bruce Good said he was very happy with the operation which involved at least 20 detectives and Customs Investigators in Auckland and a number of staff in other cities.

"This was a successful multi-phased operation involving staff from OFCANZ, Police and Customs. We prevented an importation of drugs and we arrested those people who would have profited selling this drug in our communities."

Earlier this year, a 37-year-old Columbian woman died in Auckland Hospital after an internally concealed package of cocaine burst inside her.

A post mortem found that she had been carrying more than 20 packages of cocaine worth an estimated $120,000 to $190,000.

"It's a risky business importing cocaine, either in your body or in your luggage. Either way you are going to get caught, he said."

Customs Manager Drug Investigations, Mark Day said the cocaine border seizure was a significant success for Customs and for the wider community.

“One of Customs core functions is to protect New Zealand’s border, and in this seizure we have stopped this harmful, illicit drug from being sold into our communities,” he said.

“The success in this seizure comes down to the determination and vigilance of our Customs officers and the valuable efforts of the New Zealand Police.”