250kg cocaine seize in Brisbane shipping container by Australian authorities

Brisbane: Australian authorities have seized more than 250 kg of cocaine found in a shipping container that arrived in Brisbane, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF) said in a joint statement on Tuesday that the cocaine was found after authorities on May 27 received information regarding a suspicious container imported by sea.

ABF officers in Brisbane x-rayed the container and identified anomalies inside.

A subsequent search located five carry bags containing a white substance, which were placed on top of pallets containing a legal plastic packaging product.

Forensic testing carried out by the AFP found that the bags contained a combined 253 kg of cocaine worth an estimated at ASD 82 million (USD 53.5 million).

ABF Commander Troy Sokoloff said that the seizure should serve as a "powerful warning" to criminal syndicates who believe they can infiltrate Australian borders with illicit drugs. An investigation into the source of the container and its intended destination is ongoing.

Drug smuggling remains a strong law and order issue in Australia, with syndicates from all across the world peddling vast quantities of methamphetamine, LSD, heroin, cocaine to major cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne among others due to very high profits.

While domestic agencies such as the AFP, ACIC, and the ABF collaborate frequently, and even work with international agencies to track and intercept shipments, drug syndicates have a strong operational presence in the country. (With inputs from agencies)