Men admit roles in $20 million Tauranga cocaine bust

In 2017, $20 million of the drug was seized following a Police and Customs operation.

Two more men charged in connection with one of the country's largest cocaine busts have pleaded guilty.

Mario Habulin and Deni Cavallo made their pleas early this afternoon at the High Court in Rotorua, signalling the end of what was to be a six week trial.

Habulin faced six charges including importation, possession of class A drug, money laundering and being part of an organised criminal group.

Cavallo faced two charges of importation and being part of an organised group.

Four foreign nationals were arrested in raids after the Maersk Line ship arrived from Chile.

Earlier in the week Matthew John Scott and Benjamin Northway also pleaded guilty to nine charges between them including importation, supply and possession of a class A drug, and being part of an organised criminal group.

The charges relate to 46 kilograms of cocaine strapped to a container ship docked at the Port of Tauranga.

The drugs had an estimated price tag of $20m.

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