Port Botany: Authorities seized 27kg of cocaine from refrigerated shipping container

The 27kg of cocaine is the latest detection in a cold shipping container, with authorities now boasting of discovering 170kg of the drug in refrigerated containers coming into Australian ports since October.

Some 27kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $9m, was seized by authorities at Port Botany on December 2, 2025. Picture: AFP.

Authorities have seized 27kg of cocaine from inside a refrigerated shipping container after it arrived at Port Botany.

The cocaine was found in 22 individually-wrapped plastic blocks while packages containing tracking devices were also found in the container on Monday.

The consignment, found by Australian Border Force officers after an X-ray identified anomalies in the rear of the container, has an estimated street value of almost $9m and enough for about 135,000 street deals.

The Australian Federal Police seized the cocaine and an investigation is underway.

Since October, about 170kg of cocaine has been found by ABF officers in refrigerated containers.

An X-ray found an anomaly in the container before the cocaine was discovered and seized. Picture: AFP.

“Cocaine is a highly addictive substance and causes significant harm in the community,” AFP Det Acting Supt Aaron Burgess.

“Transnational criminal syndicates will go to any extreme in their attempts to import harmful illicit substances into our country. We are here to remind them that we have the skills and ability to disrupt these ventures.”

Some 170kg of cocaine has now been seized from refrigerated shipping containers at Australian ports since October. Picture: AFP.

ABF Acting Supt Matt Hughes said officers provided around the clock intelligence-driven assessments of sea cargo consignments before they reached Australian shores.

“The Australian border is our most critical national asset, and our officers will continue to ensure it remains a hostile environment for those doing the wrong thing,” Supt Hughes said.

“Information sharing between partner agencies provides law enforcement a more complete picture of inbound suspicious cargo and for where it is destined.

“This detection is a fantastic example of how agency collaboration and monitoring can result in significant operational outcomes and real-life harm minimisation.”

Originally published as Port Botany: Authorities seized 27kg of cocaine from refrigerated shipping container