POLICE have seized 80kg of cocaine found in a shipping container at Port Botany on 11 August and are asking for anyone with information to come forward.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined the shipping container, which had arrived from the USA, after x-rays identified some anomalies in it.
A forensic examination revealed two bags containing multiple packages of a substance that tested positive for cocaine, each wrapped in blue clingfilm with a ‘464’ label.
The AFP seized the drugs and inquiries are now underway to identify the criminal syndicate responsible for the importation of the drug, which police estimate has a potential street value of $26 million.
ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton said this detection was a potential example of the varying ways criminal syndicates embed themselves in the international supply chain.
“The illicit drugs found within this container were not concealed, which could be indicative of a ‘rip-on/rip-off’ method – as cargo moves from the country of origin to the country of destination, criminal insiders could tamper with legal shipments,” Supt Leighton said.
“The ABF works closely with our industry partners and international logistics companies to disrupt the infiltration of the supply chain both on and offshore.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Stuart Millen said the AFP and its partners were committed to targeting individuals who seek to profit from the illicit drug trade, and identifying criminal groups responsible for the large-scale importation of these harmful substances.
He urged anyone with information about the importation to contact police.