Massive Cocaine Haul Seized on Container Ship in Australian Ports
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers struck gold – or rather, white powder – when they uncovered a huge cocaine shipment aboard the Maersk Inverness on July 22, 2022. The ship had docked just a day earlier, with the drugs hidden inside denim bags tucked away in a container marked “wood products.”
28 Denim Bags Packed with Cocaine Bricks
AFP investigators found 28 denim bags, each stuffed with roughly 25kg of cocaine bricks. The bricks were stamped with curious emblems like the numbers ‘5’ and ‘365’ and even the word ‘Netflix.’
After completing preliminary checks, authorities cleared the ship to sail on. But the hunt for the source and intended recipients of the drugs is ongoing.
Drug Syndicate Deal Crushed, Millions in Profits Lost
ABF Detective Inspector Luke Wilson revealed the vessel had stopped in Central and South America before hitting Australian shores.
“We’re still looking into where the drugs were loaded and who planned to collect them in Australia,” said Det-Inspector Wilson. “This seizure deals a crushing blow to a well-funded syndicate, stopping millions in profits from fuelling their criminal empires and lavish lifestyles.”
The AFP estimates this bust prevented over $451 million in drug-related harms, including crime, healthcare costs, and lost productivity.
ABF Cheers Officers’ Sharp Eye in Blocking Drug Infiltration
Superintendent Joanne Yeats of ABF Detained Goods NSW praised the snag:
“This seizure highlights the skill and dedication of our ABF officers who spotted and stopped this massive shipment from entering our community.”
She added law enforcement will keep up the fight to keep dangerous drugs off Aussie streets.
East Coast Cocaine Prices Make This Bust Even Bigger
Depending on purity and availability, cocaine can sell for up to $400,000 per kilogram on Australia’s east coast. This haul alone could have fetched at least $280 million.
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
