New Zealand seizes enough cocaine for 30 years of consumption in the country

New Zealand security authorities have seized 3.2 tonnes of cocaine floating in the Pacific Ocean, enough to supply the country’s demand for the drug for 30 years, according to police.

The product was found attached to a kind of fishing net in international waters northwest of the country, packaged in 81 bales worth around US$ 320 million, the largest interception of illicit drugs in New Zealand’s history.

“This is the biggest seizure of illicit drugs by law enforcement agencies in New Zealand by a considerable margin,” said Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, adding that the product was likely destined for the Australian market, whose demand would be met for a year by packages, he said.

Coster did not detail how the cocaine was found, but he highlighted the joint work between the country’s customs and defense services, in addition to the cooperation of the international security initiative “Five Eyes” (with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States ).

“We have no doubts that an interception of this size means a big blow to those involved in the trade of this product, from producers to distributors”, said the commissioner, although no one has been arrested so far, and the origin of the seized product is unknown. taken to places where it will be analyzed and later destroyed.

“We have a very high retail value for drugs, which makes us a very attractive market. This case demonstrates that we have many inspection actions in progress,” he said.