The AFP and Australian Border Force have congratulated authorities in French Polynesia over the reported seizure of about 4.87 tonnes of cocaine intercepted in the Pacific Ocean, with the drugs reportedly bound for Australian shores.
This seizure prevented a significant amount of illicit drugs from reaching the Australian community.
AFP Commander Stephen Jay commended the work of the authorities in French Polynesia and highlighted the AFP's strong collaboration with its international partners through its members posted across the Pacific to combat the growing threat of organised crime.
"The AFP is committed to working closely with our law enforcement partners to deliver maximum impact against transnational criminal syndicates targeting Australia, the Pacific and throughout Europe," Commander Jay said.
"I would like to thank the exceptional work of our partners in French Polynesia, who have prevented a significant amount of illicit drugs from reaching Australia.
"The harm caused by organised crime syndicates attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia is significant and extends beyond individual users to a myriad of violent and exploitative crimes and harm to the community. It is no doubt that as a result of the work of the French authorities, significant organised crime entities within Australia have been disrupted.
"AFP members posted in the Pacific and Taskforce Thunder members will seek to work collaboratively with authorities in French Polynesia in an attempt to identify persons in Australia who may be linked to this seizure."
Australian Border Force Acting Commander Maritime Border Command Linda Cappello said Australia's strongest defence against transnational organised crime was the depth of its relationships across the Pacific and beyond.
"The Australian Border Force congratulates the French authorities for their outstanding efforts in preventing these illicit drugs from reaching Australia and causing harm within our communities," A/g Commander Cappello said.
"Through a sustained regional presence, shared awareness of emerging threats and long-standing partnerships with border and law enforcement agencies, criminal networks are increasingly detected and disrupted well before they can reach Australian shores.
"For those seeking to exploit maritime and supply chains to move illicit drugs the message is clear: coordinated vigilance across the region significantly increases the risk of detection and disruption."
In October, 2025, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett launched Taskforce Thunder. Taskforce Thunder seeks to collaborate with Pacific law enforcement partners through AFP members posted across the Pacific to target this serious criminal behaviour.
The AFP supports 29 transnational crime investigation units across the Pacific and provides central coordination of intelligence for the region. These teams are complemented with a vast network of more than 200 AFP officers across the globe, who work to defend and secure Australia.
