The AFP is calling for the public’s assistance after more than 30kg of cocaine was located in a refrigerated container at Port Botany.
The consignment was examined by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers on Thursday, 17 October 2024, after they identified anomalies when they x-rayed a shipping container that had arrived from Italy.
A forensic examination revealed 30 packages hidden inside the engine compartment of the refrigerated container.
The packages were found to contain a white crystalline substance that later tested positive to cocaine. The estimated street value of the seizure is $9.75 million.
The drugs were seized by AFP officers and inquiries are underway to identify the criminal syndicate responsible for the importation.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said 30kg of cocaine had the potential to be sold as more than 150,000 street deals.
“The organised crime syndicates behind these importations don’t care about the harm they’re causing, the hospital admissions, drug driving crashes, or violence between drug distributors that puts innocent members of the public at risk. They care only about the profits they can make,” Det. A/Supt Millen said.
“If you know anything about this consignment, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1300 333 000 or report via crimestoppers.com.au.”
The AFP is interested in information about people who may have been asked to take delivery of, or store, a refrigerated industrial container.
ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton said the detection demonstrated the capabilities of ABF officers in the field to identify unusual or abnormal circumstances.
“Whomever has attempted to import these substances has attempted to conceal them within the structure of the container, something which ABF officers assess and monitor several times a day,” Supt Leighton said.
“It’s a warning to those who try sneaky tactics to get beyond our border controls, we work closely with our partner agencies with intelligence and officer knowledge to look at all aspects of a potential import – inside and within a consignment.”
Anyone with information about suspicious activity which may impact the security of Australia’s borders is urged to report to Border Watch online. By reporting suspicious activities, you help protect Australia’s border and the community.
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