Australian Authorities Confiscate 41 kg of Cocaine Discovered in Shipping Containers at Sydney Port
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Australian police have seized over 41 kg of cocaine hidden in refrigerated containers at Sydney's Port Botany, raising concerns over safety and organized crime. The AFP and ABF are targeting this new smuggling trend, which poses risks to innocent workers.
Key Takeaways
- Over 41 kg of cocaine seized in Sydney.
- Concealed in refrigerated containers from Chile and Belgium.
- Rise in drug importation methods since April 2023.
- Concerns for worker safety at facilities.
- Investigators are tracking origins with international assistance.
Sydney, Feb 10 (NationPress) Australian authorities have confiscated over 40 kg of cocaine concealed within refrigerated shipping containers that were brought into Sydney.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) alongside the Australian Border Force (ABF) revealed on Monday that approximately 41 kg of cocaine was discovered in containers that reached Sydney's Port Botany from Chile and Belgium in January.
Officials noted a recent trend among drug trafficking organizations to hide cocaine in refrigerated containers utilized by legitimate businesses for importing goods.
Upon arrival in Sydney, local members of these syndicates attempt to infiltrate the docks or storage facilities to retrieve the narcotics.
The AFP and ABF, in a joint announcement, indicated a remarkable rise in the use of this method since April 2023, and are now focusing their efforts on monitoring refrigerated containers coming into Sydney.
Since the beginning of 2023, more than one tonne of cocaine has been seized from these containers, along with tracking devices employed by organized crime groups to observe and identify the shipments.
Both agencies expressed serious concerns that this practice could jeopardize the safety and security of innocent workers at facilities where criminals attempt to retrieve drugs for distribution in the community, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty stated that investigators are determined to "follow every lead" to determine the origins of the confiscated cocaine and are collaborating with international partners to uncover the involved crime syndicates.
Four individuals have pleaded guilty to accessing refrigerated containers concealing cocaine in a separate case and are set to be sentenced by a court later this month.
Individuals found guilty of importing a commercial quantity exceeding two kg of cocaine into Australia could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
