New Zealand Intercepts $25m Worth of Cocaine Hidden in Banana Shipment

The New Zealand police have reportedly seized $25m worth of cocaine, which was hidden in banana Shipment, the country’s largest-ever drug bust.

According to a statement b authorities, a 41-year-old man was arrested in neighboring Australia in connection with the seizure.

Police put the street value of the cocaine at between NZ$28 million and NZ$36 million ($19 million-$25 million).

The haul followed an Australian investigation into an organized crime group. Officials there said a potential shipment of illicit drugs was heading to Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, after leaving Balboa, Panama, on Aug. 4.

The shipment arrived in Auckland on Aug. 20. Authorities inspected the container and found five duffle bags on top of banana boxes that contained 190 blocks of cocaine, each weighing around a kilogram.

The joint investigation between New Zealand and Australian authorities concluded in the past 24 hours with the arrest of the unidentified man in Sydney, the statement said.

Police said the drugs were destined for Australia.