Australian police have seized large quantities of cocaine when they examined the hull of a cargo ship docked in Melbourne. The ship originally came from Argentina.
Divers found two suspicious packages attached to the ship’s hull underwater.
The packages, which were heavily wrapped in plastic and tied with rope, weighed more than 200 kilograms.
Wrapped: The packages found by police were well wrapped. Photo: Australian Federal Police
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Australian Federal Police Chief Richard Chen says the method of concealing drugs is not unusual.
This method of concealing drugs is not new, and this seizure is another example that police are one step ahead of criminals trying to bring harmful and illegal drugs into our country and society, Chen says in a press release.
We prevented 200 kilograms of cocaine from reaching our streets, thus preventing nearly a million street sales.
Police estimate the drugs have a total value of more than NOK 550 million.
Large quantities: Police estimate that the street value of cocaine is in excess of NOK 550 million. Photo: Australian Federal Police
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Police Inspector James Dalton of the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Department says that this seizure demonstrates the skill of specialized divers, and how important it is for police to detect and deter this activity.
– Our message is clear: if you try to import drugs or illegal goods via ship into Victoria, we will find out and make sure those involved are held accountable.
No one was arrested in this case, and the cargo ship was allowed to sail after the police investigated it. Meanwhile, Australian police stated that they wanted information in this case.
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