Australian authorities are witnessing a concerning trend where international drug trafficking syndicates are utilising legitimate refrigerated containers to conceal cocaine shipments into Sydney. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) recently revealed the seizure of 41 kilograms of cocaine hidden within two imported containers at Port Botany. The first container, arriving from Chile, was discovered on January 23, containing 20 cocaine bricks hidden in its walls. The following day, a second container from Belgium yielded 21 additional bricks.
These operations show how transnational crime groups exploit global supply chains to hide illicit drugs and tracking devices within the engine compartments of these containers. Once the containers reach Sydney, these criminals often attempt to break into docks or storage areas to retrieve the drugs. Since April 2023, there has been a notable surge in these incidents, leading to the seizure of over one tonne of cocaine.
Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty stated that tracking devices are likely employed by these criminal syndicates to monitor their shipments upon arrival. Consequently, four men who accessed refrigerated containers concealing cocaine have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing this month. The situation highlights a pressing challenge for Australian authorities in combating sophisticated drug smuggling tactics.