Suspicious packages washed up on beach following Cyclone Alfred

Multiple suspicious packages with unknown contents have washed up on Aussie shores following a wild weather event, sparking a major police operation.

A major investigation is underway after suspicious packages washed up on Bundaberg’s beaches, with police warning more are expected to surface.

Officers were alerted to a suspicious package that was discovered on the foreshore at 6am on Tuesday prompting extensive patrols on the water and shoreline from Winfield to Wilkes Point.

Further packages were found, all which contained a suspicious substance.

Multiple mysterious packages have been found on Bundaberg shores on Tuesday and Wednesday. PICTURE: Lexa Smith

Authorities cordoned off the site, and concerned more packages could wash up, continued extensive searches on Wednesday.

Police urged the public to contact them if more packages are located, warning them to avoid any items they may find as they could contain a hazardous substance.

“We’re taking this matter very seriously and we expect more packages to possibly wash ashore with the high tide,” a Queensland police spoksperson said.

“We urge the public to stay clear of any suspicious items and to report them immediately.”

It was revealed in a press conference at Bundaberg Police Station on Wednesday morning that four additional packages had been found by members of the public and reported to the police.

Chief Inspector Grant Marcus said the packages “look like a brick wrapped up in brown paper”.

“They are things that can be quite dangerous to the community and we definitely don’t want members of the public taking these home,” he continued.

Police comb the beach at Bargara as part of their investigation after several containers of a suspicious substance washed up on Tuesday morning. Picture: supplied.

Chief Inspector Grant Marcus urged the public to report any packages found and advised them not to touch them or take them home. PICTURE: Lexa Smith

The Australian Federal Police and a Queensland Police taskforce which investigates the importation of illegal and illicit drugs have been briefed on the situation.

Mr Marcus said police are looking at whether these packages are linked to a large cocaine bust that took place three months ago off Queensland shores.

There were also questions about whether the packages had emerged as a result of wild weather brought by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.

“Obviously with Tropical Cyclone Alfred being here and a lot of the dunes being washed away, whether or not that may have contributed to these being located (is being considered),” Mr Marcus said.

The SES are one of many crews involved in the extensive search for more mysterious packages along the Bundaberg foreshore. Picture: Facebook

Mr Marcus went on to assure people Bundaberg was “not the centre of the drug world”.

“But it is very, very concerning that these sorts of things have washed up on our shore, that people think they can come in through our harbours and distribute large amounts of drugs like this,” he said.

The contents of the suspicious packages is yet to be formally tested but will be sent to Brisbane for analysis and weighing.

Mr Marcus would not disclose the exact area where the packages were washing up but said they had been found on the beaches and among rocks.

SES, PolAir, water police, border force and surf life saving crews continue to canvass the area along the Bundaberg foreshore.