International operation leads to seizure of seaborne containers laden with cocaine

During the operation over 142 kg of cocaine was seized in French Polynesia hidden within insulation panels in a refrigeration unit. Another detection saw over 67 kg of cocaine seized in New Caledonia buried behind panels in a shipping container, and over 285 kgs of cocaine was detected – across three other separate seizures – hidden within shipping containers arriving into Melbourne.

"The rip method is becoming a hugely popular method of evasion, but it is only a possible strategy due to the increase of trusted insiders and criminal infiltration throughout the global supply chain," said ABF Commander International Claire Rees.

Agencies involved in the operation included ABF, French Customs (New Caledonia Regional Customs Directorate, French Polynesia Regional Customs Directorate), the Jamaica Customs Agency, the New Zealand Customs Service, and US Homeland Security Investigations.