Australian Border Force (ABF) officers at Sydney's International Mail Gateway Facility have spoiled a romantic celebration for the ages, after seizing more than $10 million worth of illicit drugs concealed in assorted gift items in a 24-hour period.
The prohibited drugs, disguised in a range of food and beverage packages, were detected and stopped by officers through intelligence-led targeting profiles and officer intuition.
On Friday 18 July 2025, the International Mail NSW staff detected and disrupted the following consignments:
• 6.75L of liquid methamphetamine, concealed within three boxes of cask wine. Presumptive testing returned a positive indication for methamphetamine.
• 6kg of cocaine, concealed within assorted chocolate gift boxes. Presumptive testing of the substance returned a positive reading for cocaine.
• 1.5kg of cocaine, concealed within chocolate blocks. After officers unwrapped the packages, they conducted presumptive testing which returned a positive result for cocaine.
ABF Acting Superintendent International Mail NSW Shaun Baker said these detections represent large volumes of individual street deals removed from criminals' hands and, in turn, Sydney's streets.
"The ABF is Australia's only border security agency, dedicated to protecting Australia's physical border," Acting Supt Baker said.
"The detection capabilities at the gateway facility provide ABF officers with the technological advantage to contend with new and emerging threats across the operating environment.
"The concealment methods criminal networks use demonstrate their brazen attempts to smuggle illicit goods into the country.
"These consignments alone would equate to an estimated street value of more than $10 million, that's a significant dent in the criminals' back pocket.
"This is a sweet victory for ABF officers, ending the criminal celebrations on a sour note."
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