Mystery as cocaine washes up on beaches

Packages of cocaine, totalling more than 120kg, have been washing up on beaches between the NSW cities of Newcastle and Sydney, as police investigate.

Police were called to Magenta Beach on The Central Coast about 8pm Friday after a member of the public found a “suspicious item” containing 39 one-kilo bricks of cocaine.

Seven more packages were found at Magenta Beach, Pelican Beach, Blacksmith Beach, Avoca Beach, Pentaloon Bay and North Steyne Beach on Sunday.

A blue barrel containing another 39 individually-wrapped one-kilo packets of cocaine was found in waters at Barrenjoey Headland, off Sydney’s Northern Beaches, about 11am on Tuesday.

And about 5.30pm the same day Newcastle police were called to Newcastle Ocean Baths where another suspicious package, again containing 39 one-kilo bricks of cocaine, was found.

State Crime Command has taken over investigation of the matter, with the 124kg of recovered drugs sent for forensic testing.

“Detectives are working closely with local police and specialist resources such as Polair and Marine Area Command, as well as Australian Border Force and Surf Life Saving NSW, to seize any outstanding packages and determine their origin,” NSW Police said in a statement.

Director of State Crime Command, Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein, thanked the public for their assistance in reporting the packages to police.

“We thank those who have heeded the warning to report any suspicious packages to police as we get to the bottom of this matter and we remind people that being in possession of a prohibited drug is a criminal offence,” Detective Chief Superintendent Weinstein said.

“Detectives and specialist police are currently combing beaches and coastlines for any outstanding packages and working behind the scenes to make sure we find and hold accountable those responsible.”

Anyone with more information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or make a report online.