$9m worth of cocaine found behind TV in luxury minibus at Outer Harbor, SA
It weighed more than 28kgs.
About $9 million worth of cocaine has been uncovered hidden behind a television inside a luxury minibus in South Australia.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers intercepted a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel berthed at Outer Harbor — an industrial outer suburb northwest of Adelaide — on Monday following intelligence-led targeting.
Using specialist technology, including videoscopes, and with the assistance of detector dogs, officers found several 1kg packages of white powder hidden behind a television inside the vehicle.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Presumptive testing returned a positive result for cocaine, with the haul weighing more than 28kg.
The matter was then referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who seized the drugs and launched an investigation.
Authorities estimate the quantity of cocaine could have generated about 140,000 street-level deals, with an estimated street value of $9 million.
AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Simon Lalic said the AFP was working closely with state, Commonwealth and international partners to disrupt organised crime syndicates.
“Criminals are driven by their own greed and profit and will attempt any method to import harmful illicit substance into our country,” Lalic said.
“No matter how creative these criminals attempt to be, our message is clear — we are on to you.”
ABF Superintendent Jody Griswood said each detection at the border prevented significant harm to the community.
“Every detection of illicit drugs at the border reduces drug-related crimes in the Australian community and takes money out of the hands of international criminal syndicates,” Griswood said.
“I commend the highly skilled officers involved, who were vital to the detection of this large quantity of cocaine, thereby preventing significant community harm.”
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Originally published on 7NEWS
