$182m of drugs found in coffee beans

More than 200kg of ice and cocaine has been found inside a shipment of coffee beans from Panama in a major drugs bust.

The consignment seized by ABF officers which contained ice and cocaine valued at $182 million. Picture: Supplied

Ice and cocaine worth $182m has been found in a shipment of coffee beans which arrived in Melbourne from Central America.

The huge bust came on Sunday when Australian Border Force officers inspected a shipping container which had arrived from Panama.

X-rays by those officers found what authorities say were “anomalies”.

“Further examination identified substances that presumptively tested positive to methamphetamine and cocaine,” an ABF statement said.

A total of 200kg of methamphetamine and 6kg of cocaine – the equivalent of more than two million street-level deals – was seized.

Authorities say the ice would have been worth an estimated $180m by the time it was sold to users and the cocaine’s value was $2.4m.

More than 200kg of methylamphetamine and cocaine was found inside a shipment of coffee beans. Picture: Supplied

AFP Detective Superintendent Jason McArthur said the investigation was ongoing and the seizure demonstrated how drug smugglers would use any product and method to import drugs into Australia.

“This significant seizure, concealed inside a shipment of coffee beans, demonstrates we are one step ahead of these criminal networks,” Det. Supt. McArthur said.

“The AFP, together with our law enforcement partners, including our offshore partner agencies working in collaboration with the AFP’s International Command Network, are committed to protecting Australians from harmful, illicit drug imports and unleashing maximum damage to the criminal environment.”

“The AFP’s investigations into the criminal syndicate involved, including those responsible both on and offshore, remains ongoing. We are urging anyone with information to please come forward,” he said.

ABF acting Commander Uriah Turner said ABF officers were increasingly vigilant to the methods used by organised crime groups.

“Our technical expertise and sophisticated technology means that we will find the drugs, regardless of the method of concealment these criminals use,” Commander Turner said.

“This ABF is committed to protecting the community from harmful drugs and working closely with our law enforcement partners to stop the tide of methamphetamine and cocaine coming into Australia.”