Australian authorities say international drug smuggling gangs are increasingly turning to hiding cocaine in refrigerated containers used by legitimate businesses to import goods into Sydney.

The Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force today gave details about the seizure of 41kg of cocaine stashed in two containers at Port Botany in Sydney last month.

The first container, imported from Chile, was found to contain 20 bricks, each weighing 1k, of the drug hidden in its walls when it was inspected by Australian Border Force (ABF) officers on January 23.

The next day 21 bricks of cocaine were uncovered in a second container, sent from Belgium.

The AFP says the seizures highlight how the global supply chain network is being exploited to hide illicit drugs and tracking devices in engine compartments of the specialist refrigerated containers used by legitimate companies.

When they arrive at the Port of Sydney, criminals then attempt to retrieve the drugs by trying to break into docks, container facilities or other storage areas.

The AFP and ABF have recorded a significant increase in instances of this since April 2023, specifically with cocaine. It has resulted in the seizure of more than one tonne of the drugs to date.

“We believe these tracking devices are used by transnational serious organised crime syndicate members to identify and monitor the containers containing the illicit drugs once they arrive in Australia,” said Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty.

“These syndicate members then wait until they can identify an opportunity to break into docks, storage yards, warehouses or other facilities to access the drugs.”

Four men who pleaded guilty to accessing refrigerated containers concealing cocaine will be sentenced this month.