Australian authorities seize seaborne container laden with over $50m in illegal drugs

​​The Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) have seized more than 250 kg of cocaine worth more than AU$82 million (US$53 million) from a single shipping container in Brisbane recently, the ABF said via a press release on Tuesday, June 10.

The ABF said that on May 27, 2025, it received information regarding a suspicious container imported through the sea cargo stream.

ABF officers used an X-ray on the container and found anomalies inside. Upon further examination, the officers located five carry bags wrapped in black plastic placed on top of pallets of polyethylene, a legal product used for packaging.

Testing of the white substance found within the packages returned a presumptive positive result for cocaine. ABF then referred the matter to the AFP.

Forensic testing by the AFP confirmed the bags contained 253 kg of cocaine worth more than AU$82 million.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report via crimestoppers.com.au.

"There are people who will have information that can assist this investigation and we urge them to come forward," said AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Adrian Telfer. "The smallest clue could be all it takes to help police identify those involved in this failed plot."