$20m cocaine haul found inside electronic safes hidden in welders in shipment intercepted in Adelaide from Greece
An Adelaide man charged with importing a huge amount of cocaine allegedly had 18 blocks of powder elaborately hidden inside electronic safes concealed in large welders.
Police & Courts
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An Adelaide man has faced court after cocaine worth $20 million was uncovered in electronic safes hidden inside two welding machines.
Tereapii Pokoina, 46, of Hyde Park, was arrested over the huge haul – which was sent to South Australia from Greece.
He faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court via video link on Wednesday afternoon.
Pokoina did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until November
Australian Federal Police believe the 18 packages of drugs have a street value of $20 million and could be sold for about $5 million on the black market at wholesale prices.
The haul weighed about 20kg in total.
An investigation into the cargo consignment was launched on August 31.
Australian Border Force officers in Adelaide removed a panel from a piece of one welder and found an electronic safe
Inside the safe they found nine rectangular packages which allegedly contained a white powder. Tests of the substance indicated a presumptive positive result to cocaine.
The second welder was then dismantled, uncovering a second safe, with nine similar packages stored inside.
Police said they would allege Pokoina organised the consignment and arranged for it to be delivered to his former workplace without the knowledge of the business owners.
He also allegedly spoke to a freight company about when the welders would be available.
Police raided two inner-city properties on Tuesday. Pokoina was arrested at his home where police seized electronic devices and documentation allegedly connected to the consignment.
Pokoina has been charged with importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Police are investigating who sent the drugs from Greece.
AFP Acting Superintendent Gavin Stone said crime syndicates should be on high alert became authorities were always “one step ahead”.
“We will outsmart you. Australian law enforcement are more united than ever to protect the community by stopping harmful drugs from reaching our streets and preventing criminals profiting from their illegal activities,” he said.
“Operations like this send a strong message that no matter how sophisticated or opportunistic these criminal ventures are, or what methods they use, the AFP and our partners are one step ahead.”
