The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is requesting assistance from the public after 80kg of cocaine worth $26 million was discovered in Sydney.
The shipping container arrived in Port Botany in Sydney’s south last Monday from the US and was investigated after x-rays identified anomalies within it.
Further examination revealed two bags containing multiple packages of a substance that tested positive for cocaine.
Each package was wrapped in blue clingfilm and had a numbered label on it.
The drugs were subsequently seized, with the AFP now seeking further information on the criminal syndicate responsible for the importation.
Australian Border Force Superintendent Jared Leighton revealed there is a chance the shipment was tampered with.
“The illicit drugs found within this container were not concealed, which could be indicative of a ‘rip-on/rip-off’ method,” Leighton said.
“As cargo moves from the country of origin to the country of destination, criminal insiders could tamper with legal shipments.”
Last year, up to 740 attempted drug importations were disrupted by police and the Australian Border Force, including attempts to import cocaine.
