The holiday's over for an alleged cruise ship cocaine smuggler. Customs officers say they foiled a 26-year-old French national's plans when they seized 24kg of cocaine from the cruise ship passenger in Paihia on Wednesday. READ MORE:* Former NRL players face cocaine charges* Water tests show cocaine use on rise* Tauranga police seize 20kg of cocaineThe cocaine seizure is one of the largest in New Zealand, with a street value estimated to be between $6.8 and $10.8 million. Not withstanding other likely charges, if convicted on the possession charge, the man could face life imprisonment. The alleged cruise ship smuggling is an example of trans-national crime syndicates attempting to use new routes to import drugs, Berry said.

Source: Stuff December 21, 2017 00:11 UTC