Group of Individuals Attempted to Smuggle 50 Kilograms of Cocaine into New Zealand
Eleven individuals are facing charges after authorities thwarted a plan to import drugs from Brazil using a shipping container.
Among the eleven men arrested and charged for allegedly attempting to smuggle 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of cocaine from Brazil to New Zealand earlier this year are two senior members of the Head Hunters gang.
These arrests were made as part of Operation Reach, a collaborative effort between New Zealand Police and New Zealand Customs Service.
The operation was initiated following intelligence received by the police indicating a high-risk shipment arriving at the Port of Tauranga in early February.
According to Detective Inspector Tom Gollan from the Police National Organised Crime Group, the gang had meticulously prepared to retrieve the cocaine upon its arrival, including acquiring various tools and gear to avoid detection.
Initially, four individuals aged between 22 and 36 were apprehended, leading to further investigations and additional arrests following search warrants executed in Auckland and Tauranga. Among the apprehended individuals are two men aged 50 and 59, believed to hold high-ranking positions within the Head Hunters gang.
Related Stories
Some of the weapons seized from Head Hunters gang members during raids following their unsuccessful attempt to allegedly import 50kg of cocaine to New Zealand. Courtesy of NZ Police
During the arrests, a significant number of firearms, including semi-automatic and fully automatic rifles, were confiscated. Gollan stated, “A 50-year-old male was arrested … and was also found in possession of a loaded .22 calibre pistol.”
All eleven men are currently facing charges related to the importation, conspiracy, and possession for supply of cocaine, with two individuals also facing charges related to possession of firearms. Authorities suggest the possibility of additional charges being filed.
Wastewater analysis indicates that methamphetamine remains the most prevalent drug in New Zealand, but there has been a noticeable growth in the cocaine market in recent years.
Between 2009 and 2017, the customs authorities intercepted multiple shipments totalling over 100 kilograms of cocaine, including a record 700-kilogram shipment from Ecuador intercepted at the Port of Tauranga in March 2022 following a voyage from Panama.
A 25 kilogram bag of cocaine, one of two seized from a shipping container at the Port of Tauranga. Courtesy of NZ Police
The consumption of cocaine in New Zealand rose by 93 percent in 2022/23 compared to the average of the previous three years, likely attributed to a global trend of increased production and availability.
Last year, a joint investigation by New Zealand law enforcement discovered nearly 4 tonnes of cocaine floating in the Pacific Ocean, with authorities suspecting most of it was destined for Australia.
Cocaine smugglers are innovating their tactics to evade detection, such as a recent incident where the NZ Navy intercepted a vessel with a box containing an electromagnet attached to its hull holding 7 kilograms of cocaine valued up to $3.15 million in New Zealand.
According to the 2023 World Drug Report, the street price of cocaine in Australia and New Zealand is among the highest globally.
