Police find $250m worth of cocaine in banana pulp

A fruit shop owner from Sydney’s northern beaches allegedly attempted to smuggle almost $250 million worth of cocaine into Australia hidden in boxes of banana pulp, a court heard.

Investigators from the Australian Federal Police arrested 68-year-old Forestville man Mark De Hesselle near his home as the apex point of a multiagency investigation that was sparked by a tip from US Homeland Security Investigations about suspect cargo.

The Australian investigators followed the tip and identified a shipment containing close to 2000 boxes of assorted fruit pulp. Closer examination revealed 275 of the boxes, which contained banana pulp, were also concealing 552kg of cocaine.

Close examination revealed 275 of the boxes, which contained banana pulp, were also concealing 552kg of cocaine.

Investigators arrested the 68-year-old Forestville man near his home.

The investigators seized the cocaine earlier this month and replaced it with an inert substance that looked identical to the drug.

They then monitored it until someone came to pick it up.

Over two weeks, police will allege De Hesselle collected 139 of the banana pulp boxes.

Police will alleged in court that De Hesselle searched through the bags and removed the cocaine.

Th 68-year-old was arrested on Friday in an early morning raid by heavily armed AFP officers.

The investigators seized the cocaine and replaced it with an inert substance.

During the search police found five one-kilogram silver ingots.

Over two weeks, police will allege the

accused collected 139 of the banana pulp boxes.

He was charged with one count of attempting to import a commercial quantity of cocaine and another of attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine.

Both offences carry a maximum penalty of life in prison if proven.

According to business records, De Hesselle owns a Northern Beaches business called Fruit Plus.

During the search warrants, police seized mobile phones, a laptop, plastic bags of banana pulp, a box labelled as banana pulp, a case of green stones suspected to be emeralds, and five one-kilogram silver ingots.

De Hesselle appeared in Sydney Central Local Court on Friday where he did not apply for bail.

De Hesselle allegedly attempted to smuggle almost $250m worth of cocaine into Australia.

He will appear in that court again on December 16.

AFP Detective Superintendent Geoffrey Turner said COVID-19 border restrictions have not prevented criminal groups from trying to import illicit drugs into Australia.

“Organised crime groups and their associates are taking bigger risks and looking to move more illicit goods in bulk as a result of global lockdowns,” Det Supt Turner said.

“To people who think cocaine may be harmless and part of the party scene – remember this: it is a powerful, addictive stimulant, that makes its way to Australia through a chain of violence and exploitation, and every time you use it only fuels this destruction, and line the pockets of organised crime.”