SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Canberra is to thank as the officers associated with the organization were able to thwart an attempt to smuggle 552 kilograms (1,216 lbs) of cocaine worth an estimated $248 million inside a shipment of banana pulp.

"This joint investigation demonstrates the importance of strong international partnerships when it comes to dismantling transnational criminal organizations,” said ICE Canberra Attaché Adam Parks. “By working together, we were able to swiftly gather crucial information on the smuggling of cocaine through a shipment of fruit to Australia. I commend HSI Brazil and our Australian partners their professionalism, devotion and unrelenting efforts on targeting organizations and individuals involved in these major transnational crimes.”

HSI Canberra was able to provide information to Australian authorities about the details of a possible shipment of bananas heading to Australia from Brazil that were being used to conceal narcotics. According to a press release, the container was identified and inspected by the Australian Border Force (ABF) where anomalies were seen on 275 of the boxes within the load containing banana pulp.

The seizure led to a search warrant and subsequent investigation, which ended in several arrests.

We here at AndNowUKnow would like to thank those officers who continue to keep our beloved fresh produce safe from the unsavory deeds of criminal enterprise.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement