REFRIGERATED shipping containers are being increasingly used by criminal syndicates to conceal cocaine imports into Australia, authorities say, after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers uncovered 110kg of the drug inside a frozen berry consignment at Port Botany.
Investigations began on 24 June, 2026, after ABF officers identified a significant number of suspicious packages hidden within a refrigerated container carrying frozen berries from Santiago, Chile and destined for northwest Sydney.
The matter was referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), with investigators retrieving 110 one kilo bricks of compressed white powder.
Preliminary testing returned a positive result for cocaine, with the seized drugs estimated to have a street value of about $36 million.
Inquiries are continuing to identify the criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for the attempted importation.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Aaron Burgess said law enforcement agencies were alert to the growing use of refrigerated containers in drug importation attempts.
“Criminal networks which attempt to bring harmful drugs into our country have no regard for the devastation these substances cause to individuals, families and communities,” Det a/Supt Burgess said.
ABF Acting Superintendent Noleen Shankar said cocaine seizures at the border had increased by 23% compared with the same time last year.
“This highlights the expertise of ABF officers, leveraging intelligence-led targeting and their advanced operational capabilities to protect Australia’s border,” a/Supt Shankar said.
“No matter the methods criminals use to try and hide illicit goods, the ABF and our law enforcement partners will continue to target the syndicates behind these activities and dismantle their operations.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on the Crime Stoppers website.