AFP highlights game of “hide and seek” with drug smugglers

MOSAIC tiles, crane parts, buses, expensive fabric and ’vegetable spring rolls’ are just some of the concealment methods criminals have used to try to smuggle drugs into Australia.

In 2025, Australian Border Force (ABF) intercepted varied air, mail and sea cargo consignments of illicit substances and precursors destined for Australian shores and, which the AFP, seized: 

• 9.2 tonnes of methamphetamine, which had an estimated street value of $5.5bn 
• 7.8 tonnes of cocaine, which had an estimated street value of $2.5bn 
• 6.3 tonnes of 1,4-butanediol, which had an estimated street value of $18.9m
• 1.3 tonnes of ketamine, which had an estimated street value of $273m 
• 260kg of MDMA, which had an estimated street value of $42.6m 
• 220kg of heroin, which had an estimated street value of $110m 

 Through extensive collaboration, intelligence gathering and information sharing, Australian authorities continue to identify sneaky concealment methods criminal syndicates use to flood, and cause harm to, the Australian community with illicit drugs. 

A recent seizure at Port Botany in December 2025 saw ABF officers discover 22 plastic blocks containing 27 kilos of cocaine.

This follows on from a seizure in October 2025 when about 145kg of cocaine was located by ABF officers in shipping containers in New South Wales. 

AFP Commander Adam Rice said the AFP continued to work collectively with its state, Commonwealth and international law enforcement partners to share intelligence. 

“The diverse capabilities and skills across the AFP and our law enforcement partners strengthens our collaboration and effectiveness in tackling organised crime groups,” Commander Rice said. 

“Criminals are driven by their own greed and profit. The harm caused by organised crime syndicates’ involvement in the Australian illicit drug trade is significant.” 

ABF Commander David Coyles said during the past year, the ABF had detected a large volume of illicit drugs imported via air, mail and sea cargo streams; however, they were also increasingly seeing criminal entities using drug mules. 

“Transnational and serious organised crime groups are working as hard as ever to target the Australian community, using whatever means necessary to grow their profits and gain a greater foothold within this criminal trade,” he said.