NZ authorities find more than half a billion dollars' worth of cocaine found floating in the ocean

New Zealand authorities have discovered 3.2 tonnes of cocaine floating within the Pacific Ocean, with the medicine believed to have been destined for the Australian market.

Police, customs officers and defence pressure personnel labored collectively on the drug bust, which is predicted to deal a major blow to a global prison syndicate, New Zealand authorities stated in a joint media launch.

The cargo of 81 bales has since made the six-day journey again to New Zealand aboard the Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Manawanui, and can now be destroyed.

The drugs have been shipped to to New Zealand where they will be destroyed. — The medicine have been shipped to to New Zealand, the place they are going to be destroyed. (New Zealand Police)

The 3.2 tonne shipment of cocaine was found floating in the Pacific Ocean. — The 3.2 tonne cargo of cocaine was discovered floating within the Pacific Ocean. (New Zealand Police)

The dimension of the cargo made it possible the medicine would have been headed to Australia, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster stated.

“There is no doubt this discovery lands a major financial blow right from the South American producers through to the distributors of this product,” she stated.

“This is one of the single biggest seizures of illegal drugs by authorities in this country.

“While this disrupts the syndicate’s operations, we stay vigilant given the lengths we all know these teams will go to bypass coming to regulation enforcement’s consideration.”

The drug stash was believed to have been heading to the Australian market. (New Zealand Police)

New Zealand Customs Service Acting Comptroller Bill Perry says this successful interception is the result of excellent collaboration with Police and the New Zealand Defence Force, as well as with international partners.

“Customs is happy to have helped stop such a lot of cocaine inflicting hurt in communities right here in New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere within the wider Pacific area.

“The sheer scale of this seizure is estimated to have taken more than half a billion dollars’ worth of cocaine out of circulation.”