3 arrested in New Zealand's record cocaine bust as investigation continues

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Three more suspects have been arrested in connection with a record-breaking drug case that unearthed 725 kilograms (1,598 lbs) of cocaine, valued at approximately $254 million.

The arrests come more than two years after the massive drug haul was discovered in Port Tauranga, New Zealand.

The individuals arrested include two men, aged 27 and 35, and a 41-year-old woman, all facing serious charges related to importing cocaine, possession for supply, and involvement in an organized crime syndicate. They are scheduled to appear again in Tauranga District Court on October 3.

Detective Inspector Tom Gollan of the National Organized Crime Group revealed that the cocaine was transported on a vessel traveling from Ecuador, via Panama, concealed within a shipment of legitimate produce.

This technique, known as "piggybacking," aims to evade law enforcement by disguising controlled substances among legal cargo.

This cocaine shipment remains the largest ever to reach New Zealand's shores, highlighting the ongoing challenges authorities face in combatting drug trafficking.