Final Member of $20 Million Cocaine Syndicate Deported to Croatia
The final member of a transnational criminal syndicate responsible for attempting to smuggle $20 million worth of cocaine into Fresh Zealand has been deported to Croatia. The deportation, completed last weekend by Immigration New Zealand, marks the finish of a years-long case stemming from a significant drug bust in 2017.
The 2017 Cocaine Bust: Operation Hercules
In October 2017, New Zealand authorities intercepted a large shipment of cocaine concealed within the hull of a container ship at the Port of Tauranga. Approximately 46 kilograms of the Class-A drug were discovered, leading to a five-month covert investigation by police and Customs officials. The operation, known as Operation Hercules, resulted in the arrest of four foreign nationals.
Individuals Involved and Previous Deportations
The individuals arrested included two Australian nationals, a Serbian national and a Croatian national. All four were subsequently sentenced to lengthy prison terms in 2020. The Australian nationals and the Serbian national were deported in January 2023, September 2024, and November 2025, respectively.
Complexities of the Deportation
The deportation of the Croatian national, Mario Habulin, proved to be particularly complex. Immigration New Zealand’s national manager compliance, Fadia Mudafar, stated the operation required “extensive coordination across multiple agencies and international jurisdictions.” Challenges included the lack of a Croatian Embassy in New Zealand, necessitating collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Wellington to secure an emergency European Union travel document. Further complications arose from the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East, requiring last-minute adjustments to travel routes and securing multiple international transit approvals.
Immigration New Zealand’s Stance
Mudafar emphasized the importance of deportation as a tool for protecting New Zealand. “Deportation is a critical part of protecting New Zealand, ensuring that foreign nationals who commit serious crimes are removed once they have completed their sentences,” she said. She also warned that transnational criminal groups should expect strict enforcement of immigration regulations following sentencing, limiting their ability to operate within New Zealand.