News Centre

This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force

Editor’s Note: Arrest vision, images and audio grabs available via Hightail link

Two Victorian men have been arrested in Adelaide following the seizure of 139kg of cocaine hidden inside a shipment of luxury buses.

The men, aged 22 and 19, are expected to face Port Adelaide Magistrates court today (5 February, 2024) charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine, contrary to section 307.5(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).

The investigation, codenamed Operation Silkwood, began in January after intelligence identified an alleged importation of cocaine concealed within a consignment of 13 luxury buses on board an international cargo ship destined for Adelaide, via Perth.

Australian Border Force (ABF) officers conducted a search of the buses on 28 January, 2024, after the ship arrived into Fremantle Harbour.

During the search, ABF officers located a number of packages in four of the buses. A presumptive test of the packages returned a positive result for cocaine. The matter was subsequently referred to the AFP.

The buses were offloaded upon their arrival into Adelaide, with the ABF and South Australia Police providing assistance during the operation.

On 3 February, 2024, the men allegedly forced entry into the buses and retrieved the consignment.

The men were subsequently arrested in a hotel in Port Adelaide and charged. They were refused bail and remanded in custody.

They face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if convicted.

AFP Detective Superintendent Melinda Adam said the AFP worked tirelessly with its partners to tackle criminal groups attempting to smuggle drugs into Australia.

“The AFP’s collaboration alongside its international and domestic partners is critical in combatting transnational serious organised crime. Simply put, the AFP can achieve maximum impact by working hand in glove with our law enforcement colleagues,” D/Supt Adam said.

“To protect the Australian community, the AFP and its partners will continue to make Australia a hostile environment for transnational serious organised crime syndicates – both onshore and offshore.

“Unfortunately, Australia is viewed as a lucrative market for organised crime groups due to the comparatively higher prices for illicit substances – but the risks are high for transitional serious organised crime syndicates as Australian law enforcement cooperation has never been stronger.

“This seizure of the 139kg of cocaine has stopped a potential 695,000 individual street deals from hitting our streets and causing significant harm to our communities and economy, with an estimated street value of $45 million,” D/Supt Adam said.

The AFP is additionally calling on the public to come forward with any information they may have about any unusual activity in or around the Port Adelaide or Mansfield Park areas on Friday, 2 February, 2024 to Saturday, 3 February, 2024.

“We urge anyone who noticed any activity or movement that appeared to be out of the ordinary in the Port Adelaide or Mansfield Park areas on Friday, 2 February or over the past few days, to please come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

“All information to Crime Stoppers can be reported anonymously,” D/Supt Adam said.

ABF Superintendent Andrew Dawson said these arrests demonstrate how effectively the ABF and AFP’s close collaboration protects our Australian communities.

“Cocaine shipments are being seized at the nation's borders at unprecedented levels as Australia confronts a global surge in trafficking,” Superintendent Dawson said.

“Organised crime syndicates are relentless in their efforts to flood our shores with cocaine and their sole motivation is greed and profit, pure and simple.

“The ABF will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to defend Australia’s border, a critical national asset in the battle against criminal attempts to bring our communities harm.”

Note to media

Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community. The following services provide people with access to support and information.

• For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
• Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online
• For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to Turning Point.