Cocaine worth more than $400 million found in a shipping container is prompting federal police calls for the public’s help.
Australian Border Force (ABF) says 534kg of cocaine was found inside the container at Port Botany on Monday (July 13).
ABF officers who examined the Victoria-bound container found 14 duffel bags hidden under tarpaulin.
Each bag held between 30 to 40 1kg blocks of cocaine, the ABF says.
The street value was estimated at $400.5m or the equivalent of 267,000 street level deals.
The container was shipped from Texas, US, via Panama to Port Botany marked with a Melbourne address, the agency says.
POLICE HELP: Anyone with information that can help in this investigation can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by submitting an anonymous tip online through the Crime Stoppers website.
CALL FOR HELP OVER COCAINE FIND
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden says they “are urging anyone with information in relation to this foiled drug import attempt to come forward”.
“You are our eyes and ears. Any information may be crucial in helping us identify those responsible for this failed importation.”
ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton says that “organised criminal groups are always seeking new ways to import illicit drugs into Australia but our officers remained vigilant in targeting, screening and examining high-risk cargo”.
“The criminals behind these importations are motivated by profit and have no regard for the devastating impact illicit drugs have on individuals, families and communities,” he says.
“ABF officers are on the frontline every day, using intelligence and risk-based targeting to detect and disrupt serious threats, like this more than half-tonne of cocaine.”
HELPFUL CONTACTS
- For free, confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- You can access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online.
- For information about treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
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