$10m worth of coke, meth disguised as wine and chocolates seized

Australian Border Force officals have stopped $10 million worth of coke and meth hitting Sydney’s streets after finding the drugs disguised as wine and chocolate packages.

Australian Border Force officers have spoiled a romantic celebration for the ages, after seizing more than $10 million worth of illicit drugs concealed in assorted gifts. Supplied: ABF

Inside beautifully wrapped boxes of wine and chocolate, border force officials have discovered more than $10 million worth of drugs, in what’s been described as a “brazen” drug smuggling attempt.

The cocaine and meth, disguised as gifts, were detected and stopped over a 24-hour period by ABF officers through intelligence-led targeting profiles on July 18.

International Mail NSW staff first found 6.75L of liquid methamphetamine, concealed within three boxes of cask wine.

Next they discovered 6kg of cocaine, concealed within assorted chocolate gift boxes. A kilo-and-a-half of cocaine was found shortly after, this time concealed within chocolate bars.

The prohibited drugs, disguised in a range of food and beverage packages, were detected and stopped by officers through intelligence-led targeting profiles and officer intuition. Supplied: ABF

Each of the shipments had been packaged in wrapped boxes, all dressed with gold ribbons.

ABF Acting Superintendent International Mail NSW Shaun Baker said these detections represented large volumes of individual street deals removed from criminal’s hands and, in turn, Sydney’s streets.

The shipments were packed in boxes, dressed with ribbons. Supplied: ABF

“The ABF is Australia’s only border security agency, dedicated to protecting Australia’s physical border,” he said.

“The detection capabilities at the gateway facility provide ABF officers with the technological advantage to contend with new and emerging threats across the operating environment.

The prohibited drugs, disguised in a range of food and beverage packages, were detected and stopped by officers through intelligence-led targeting profiles and officer intuition. Supplied: ABF

“The concealment methods criminal networks use demonstrate their brazen attempts to smuggle illicit goods into the country.

“These consignments alone would equate to an estimated street value of more than $10 million, that’s a significant dent in the criminal’s back pocket.

“This is a sweet victory for ABF officers, ending the criminal celebrations on a sour note.”

Originally published as $10m worth of coke, meth disguised as wine and chocolates seized