While most Australians were happily unwrapping their Christmas presents last week, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Australia's international mail and air cargo facilities were busy unwrapping and seizing numerous consignments of illicit goods.
Between 23 and 30 December a range of drugs including methamphetamines, MDMA, ketamine and ephedrine were stopped at the border, some packaged to look like Christmas goods and other festive treats.
Significant seizures included more than 60 kilograms of methamphetamines, 10kg of ephedrine, 37 litres of MDMA and 5 litres of GBL.
Some were concealed inside boxes of specialty chocolates, clothing, champagne bottles and Christmas spice packaging.
On Christmas Eve, officers also located a dangerous pistol conversion kit for use with Glock handguns.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Port Operations Command, Claire Rees, said the detections highlighted the diligence of ABF officers working throughout the holiday period.
"There may be a perception this is a good time of year to smuggle illicit drugs or dangerous goods, but our message is clear - if you try to import these illegal and dangerous goods into Australia, you should expect the ABF to find them," Acting Assistant Commissioner Rees said.
"Our highly skilled officers at the border have seen it all and are always on the lookout for creative and ingenious concealments."
"To manage the continued increases in international mail and air cargo volumes, we use a range of capabilities to support our officers, including advanced x-ray screening technology, detector dogs, significant intelligence holdings and information sharing with other law enforcement agencies".
"We thank all the hardworking ABF officers deployed around the country this holiday period who are performing a critical role in keeping the Australian community safe from illicit drugs and other dangerous goods."
Anyone with information about the importation of illicit drugs or weapons should contact Border Watch at australia.gov.au/borderwatch. You can provide information anonymously.
