A joint investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Chilean authorities has led to the arrest of four people over their alleged roles in an attempt to import 23kg of cocaine into Australia.
Chile’s Investigative Police (PDI) uncovered alleged plans by an organised crime network to transport the cocaine to Australia on a commercial aircraft. The PDI seized the drugs, with an estimated Australian street value of $17 million, and shared intelligence with AFP investigators.
The AFP replaced the cocaine packages with an inert substance and carried out a controlled delivery to a Port Botany car park on 13 October 2026. Two 33-year-old men allegedly arrived to collect the packages. They were arrested and charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
