Editor's note: images of the detection can be downloaded here.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers have stopped 20kg of cocaine from reaching Sydney's streets.
Earlier this month, a shipping container arrived into Sydney's Port Botany originating from Brazil, with ABF officers detecting anomalies during the initial examination.
The container was subsequently x-rayed, with officers identifying a bag concealed amongst boxes in the consignment.
Upon further inspection, ABF officers located one hessian bag containing 20 packages of a white substance. Preliminary testing returned a positive result for cocaine.
The total amount seized in this consignment is 20kg with an estimated street value of approximately $6.5 million.
ABF Superintendent Matt O'Connor said the drugs seized could have resulted in around 100,000 street-level deals.
“ABF officers are working on our wharfs at all times of the day, monitoring ship and crew movements and detecting any suspicious behaviour," Supt O'Connor said.
“The intelligence-driven targeting by ABF officers has resulted in a significant quantity of illicit drugs being removed from circulation.
“Let this be a warning to those who believe they can smuggle prohibited drugs across our borders – we have eyes on you before your goods even make it to our shores, and we will be poised and ready to act."
Media contact: media@abf.gov.au
