Australian police seize cocaine hidden in refrigerated shipping containers

Container ship. WzhKevin, Creative Commons. (Representational image)

SYDNEY, Nov. 13 (Xinhua/UNB) -- Australian authorities have seized 145 kg of cocaine hidden in the motor compartments of refrigerated shipping containers since October, federal police said on Thursday.

In a joint statement with the Australian Border Force, the Australian Federal Police noted a recent trend of criminal syndicates attempting to import drugs and other border-controlled goods via refrigerated shipping containers.

Criminals will then attempt to break into docks, container facilities or other storage areas to get the drugs after the containers arrive in Australia.

The seized cocaine was valued at almost 50 million Australian dollars (32.8 million U.S. dollars).