SYDNEY, Jun 10 (NNN-AAP) – Australian authorities seized more than 250 kg of cocaine, found in a shipping container that arrived in Brisbane.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Border Force (ABF), said in a joint statement today 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 82 million Australian dollars (53.5 million U.S. dollars).
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.– NNN-AAP
