Packages Of Cocaine Worth More Than £1.5M Wash Up In New Zealand

More than £1.5m worth of cocaine has been washing up on the shore of a beach in New Zealand.

Cops were called to Bethells Beach, Auckland, on Wednesday evening after plastic packages were spotted coming in with the tide.

After testing the contents of the 19-plastic-wrapped bricks, police confirmed it was cocaine, worth than NZ$3m (£1.59m).

Detective Inspector Colin Parmenter from Waitematä Police said officers and customs officials have scoured the beach to look for any additional packages and has warned that more might wash up.

NZ Police

He said: "There is a small possibility that further packages may turn up on the beach and we ask any members of the public to contact us immediately if they do."

Authorities believe the packages had been in the water for a 'while', as shells were spotted caught within the netting the drugs were wrapped in.

As well as the initial thorough search, Detective Inspector Parmenter has said there will be a police presence in the area, including the use of an Eagle helicopter, which will be sent out on Thursday to carry out a wider-reaching search.

"We will be sending regular patrols in the coming days to continue to check for further washed up items," he added.

Cops have also launched an investigation to try and get to the bottom of where the drugs originally came from.

Wikimedia Commons/Piotr Zurek

Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, one retired cop - who did not want to be named - gave his opinion, in which he claimed the find was most likely part of a bigger consignment.

He told the newspaper: "It seems to me like the cocaine was probably part of a bigger lot, and this part has gotten away.

"I would think they would be looking at shipping rather than planes - you'd be looking at boats coming into and out of the area.

"The most likely thing I would think is that a boat has come in and dropped it off and then someone else has gone out and picked it up."

Police have urged anyone with any information to come forward, posting on Facebook to request: "Anyone with information is asked to contact Waitematä Crime Squad on 09 839 0697. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Topics: World News, crime

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19