Criminal plots to smuggle almost $50 million worth of cocaine into Australia, hidden in the motor compartments of refrigerated shipping containers, have been disrupted by Australian authorities in the last month.
Since October, about 145kg of cocaine has been found by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers in refrigerated containers. The AFP has since seized the drugs and are conducting further inquiries.
The seizures continue a recent trend of criminal syndicates hiding drugs and other border-controlled goods, particularly cocaine, inside refrigerated shipping containers. Criminals will then attempt to break into docks, container facilities or other storage areas to remove the drugs after the containers arrive in Australia.
On Sunday (9 November, 2025), 40 blocks of cocaine - each weighing about one kilogram - were detected by ABF officers at Port Botany, hidden inside a shipping container consigned from South America.
ABF officers found another 80kg of cocaine, along with tracking devices, inside four refrigerated shipping containers at Port Botany between 8 October, 2025 and 10 October, 2025. These containers were targeted by the ABF after x-rays identified anomalies.
About 25 one-kilogram blocks of cocaine - each branded with an image of a lion's head - was found in the motor of a refrigerated shipping container on 1 October, 2025.
Both the AFP and ABF have serious concerns about the dangerous actions of those attempting to access the drugs in Australia, and how this is putting people's lives at risk.
"The AFP is regularly attending Sydney ports and seizing significant quantities of harmful drugs, including cocaine, along with tracking devices," AFP Detective acting Superintendent Aaron Burgess said.
"In one of the seizures, a one-kilogram package of cocaine had been damaged, which resulted in frozen white powder strewn inside the shipping container.
"Cocaine is highly addictive and places significant pressure on the Australian healthcare system.
"Our coordinated disruption activities are informed by intelligence and targeted at those trafficking harmful drugs into Australia. Criminals should be warned, the AFP is watching."
ABF Superintendent Matt O'Connor said ABF officers were monitoring for suspicious behaviour, both at our ports and within our partner logistics companies, assessing for any potential trusted insider threat.
"ABF officers regularly conduct inspections at licensed depots to bolster supply chain integrity and maintain an awareness of the comings and goings of persons involved in said supply chain," Supt O'Connor said.
"We are assessing containers onboard vessels prior to their movement onto the port, looking for any anomalies and working closely with our partner intelligence agencies to target consignments that may flag a higher risk profile.
"Attempting to breach border controls is one thing but attempting to break into licensed and secure locations is reckless and incredibly serious. Individuals are placing themselves and others at physical risk and significant criminal consequences."
Four men, aged between 22 and 32, were sentenced this year to periods of imprisonment, ranging from three to seven years', for their roles in breaking into a logistics park to collect 42kg of cocaine stored inside a refrigerated shipping container.
