The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is seeking public assistance following the seizure of 80 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $26 million, in Sydney. The illicit drugs were hidden within a shipping container that arrived at Port Botany from the United States last Monday. Suspicious anomalies detected during X-ray scans prompted further investigation, leading authorities to discover two bags containing multiple packages of a substance that tested positive for cocaine.
Each package was wrapped in blue clingfilm, marked with numbered labels. Following the discovery, the drugs were confiscated, and the AFP is now investigating the criminal syndicate responsible for the importation. Superintendent Jared Leighton from the Australian Border Force indicated that the shipment might have been tampered with during transit.
He explained that the way the drugs were packed could suggest a “rip-on/rip-off” tactic, where those on the inside of the operation manipulate legal shipments to introduce illegal substances. This method implies a possibility that while the cargo is being transported from its origin to its final destination, opportunities for insider tampering arise.
Last year, law enforcement authorities, including the AFP and the Australian Border Force, successfully disrupted around 740 attempted drug importations, showcasing their ongoing commitment to tackling drug trafficking. The AFP is appealing to the public for information to aid in uncovering the network behind this significant drug importation attempt.