This is a joint media release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force
Editor's note: Images available via Hightail.
The AFP is seeking information from members of the public after 534kg of cocaine was found hidden inside a shipping container in Sydney this week (13 July, 2026).
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers examined the consignment, which was bound for Victoria, and identified a significant number of suspicious packages inside the container.
ABF officers inspected the consignment and located 14 duffel bags concealed under a tarp inside the shipping container.
Inside each bag was between 30 to 40 blocks of cocaine, each weighing 1kg.
The matter was referred to the AFP, with officers seizing the drugs for further examination.
This amount of cocaine has an estimated street value of $400,500,000 and could have equated to 267,000 street level deals, had it reached the community.
The container was shipped from Texas, via Panama, before it arrived in Port Botany, with the consignment bound for delivery to an address in Melbourne.
Inquiries are underway to identify the criminal syndicate responsible for the importation and its intended recipients.
Anyone with information which may assist this investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by submitting an anonymous tip online through the Crime Stoppers website.
AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said the AFP, together with its law enforcement partners, had disrupted a large attempted import of harmful, illicit drugs before it could reach the Australian community.
"Criminal networks which attempt to bring harmful drugs into our country have no regard for the devastation these substances cause to individuals, families and communities," Det-Supt Blunden said.
"The AFP is committed to identifying and dismantling syndicates responsible for large-scale importations, but we need the community's help.
"We are urging anyone with information in relation to this foiled drug import attempt to come forward. You are our eyes and ears, and any information may be crucial in helping us identify those responsible for this failed importation."
ABF Superintendent Jared Leighton said serious organised crime groups would always seek new ways to import illicit drugs into Australia, but our officers remained vigilant in targeting, screening and examining high-risk cargo.
"The criminals behind these importations are motivated by profit and have no regard for the devastating impact illicit drugs have on individuals, families and communities," Supt Leighton said.
"ABF officers are on the frontline every day, using intelligence and risk-based targeting to detect and disrupt serious threats, like this more than half a tonne of cocaine."
"Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we are committed to protecting the Australian community from the significant harm caused by illicit drugs."