New Zealand seizes 24 kg of cocaine carried by French

WELLINGTON, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand police and customs have seized 24 kg of cocaine in Paihia in the North Island carried by a 26-year old French national.

This person appeared in the Whangarei District Court on Thursday following an intensive month-long investigation. The cocaine seizure is one of the largest in New Zealand, with a street value estimated to be between 6.8 million NZ dollars (4.76 million U.S. dollars) and 10.8 million NZ dollars (7.56 million U.S. dollars), according to a government statement.

"We hope this sends a strong message to those seeking to traffic drugs: New Zealand border and law enforcement partners are working together to catch you, and not just at airports," Customs Minister Meka Whaitiri said in the statement.

Police Minister Stuart Nash said identifying and targeting drug carriers was a big priority for the police and the customs, adding that drug abuse is the cause of too much harm in communities, "whether it's the health side effects from those abusing drugs or crimes that people commit when they are looking for ways to fund their habit."

"These illicit drugs are destructive and have no place in our communities," Nash said, adding that they cause devastating social and financial harm and they lead to increased crime. Enditem