Hidden amongst the tractors and spare parts were plastic wrapped packages that piqued the officers interest.
The Australian Federal Police is now seeking information from members of the public after 298kg of cocaine was found hidden inside a tractor.
Australian Border Force officers discovered the illicit cargo on August 10 while inspecting a shipping container declared as carrying two tractors and machinery parts, shipped from Germany via Panama.
ABF officers X-rayed the consignment and discovered anomalies, which prompted them to open the container.
Inside they found six large boxes wrapped in blue and black tape, identified as containing cocaine, which had been hidden inside the container in and around a tractor.
The matter was referred for investigation to the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce, a multi-agency partnership between the AFP, ABF, Victoria Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Inquiries are under way to identify those responsible for the importation of the suspected border controlled drugs and its intended recipients.
Anyone with information that may assist this investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous tip online through the Crime Stoppers website.
AFP Detective Superintendent Raymond Imbriano said the seizure demonstrated the vital role law enforcement and border protection partners played in protecting Australians from organised crime.
“Every kilogram of cocaine seized represents harm prevented in our community and profits denied to organised crime. Through strong partnerships and intelligence sharing, we will continue to target those seeking to import illicit drugs into Australia and hold them to account,” Det Supt Imbriano said.
“Criminal syndicates continue to use sophisticated methods to conceal illicit commodities; however, the combined capabilities of the Victorian Joint Organised Crime Taskforce ensure we are well positioned to identify, disrupt and dismantle these criminal networks.”
ABF Superintendent Dan Peters said the magnitude of this cocaine importation demonstrated repeated attempts by criminal networks working to undermine Australian sovereignty.
“Detections such as these don’t happen out of mere coincidence — our ABF officers are highly trained and know what to look for,” Supt Peters said.
“Transnational and serious organised crime groups are well resourced and, through their attempts to flood the domestic illicit drug market with product, they spread untold misery in the community.
“We’ll continue to work closely with our JOCTF partners to target and detect criminal activity and emphasise the value we place on working with the community to protect Australia’s interests.”
Victoria Police Detective Superintendent David Cowan said the seizure had prevented immeasurable harm to our local community.
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