Police have found a significant stash of cocaine on board a vessel docked about 200km north of Adelaide after they were alerted to suspicious packages by the ship's crew.
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After receiving the tip-off on Monday, South Australia Police, accompanied by the Australian Border Force, searched the ship docked at Port Pirie and found 23kg of suspected cocaine on board.
Detective Superintendent Billy Thompson said it was a very significant find.
"It is estimated that the street value of drugs would be in excess of $8 million," he said.
"If this amount of illicit drugs had successfully entered the drug market it would have no doubt led to significant harm to our community."
Detectives from the Serious and Organised Crime Branch alongside local police, SAPOL Water Operations, Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police are investigating the source of the cocaine and how it came to be on board the ship.
Members of the ship's crew are assisting police in their inquiries.
Investigators are conducting a full search of the ship and are expected to remain at Port Pirie throughout the day.
Australian Associated Press
