Police in New Zealand are investigating after discovering 137kg of cocaine, estimated to be worth $40 million, inside a shipping container at a facility in South Auckland.
According to a report by 1News, Officers were called to the facility on Tuesday morning after staff became "suspicious of several bags inside the container and notified authorities”, Detective Inspector Karen Bright of Counties Manukau CIB said.
"Our staff attended and located 137 individual bricks of cocaine, concealed inside several bags in the container", 1News has quoted.
Bag containing cocaine. (Source: NZ Police)
The cocaine weighed 137kg and had an estimated street value of around $40 million. During a further search, police also found two Glock pistols, ammunition magazines and approximately 200 rounds of ammunition.
Authorities confirmed that the shipment had arrived from the Netherlands via Balboa.
According to 1News, describing the seizure as significant, Bright said, "This is a significant seizure of cocaine for this country," Bright said. "We can confirm the cocaine has been seized, and further enquiries are underway into the shipment at present.
"Police will be liaising with international law enforcement partners, and we acknowledge the assistance of New Zealand Customs with our enquiries so far", as quoted by 1News.
Investigations into the shipment are ongoing, with police working alongside international law enforcement agencies and New Zealand Customs to establish further details, 1News has reported.