Two men have been charged after more than 80kg of ketamine was found concealed in two new vans being brought into Australia on a bulk car-carrying ship.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said authorities were notified that a criminal syndicate was allegedly sending drugs to Australia hidden inside new cars being imported on the ships.
Officers found a ship that arrived in Melbourne on May 15 that was allegedly transporting cars containing illegal drugs.
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"The AFP seized 79 plastic bags allegedly containing the ketamine and replaced them with a harmless substance before putting the vans back on the carrier vessel for the intended destination of NSW," AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Paul Watt said.
The 79 plastic bags contained 84kg of ketamine, which has a wholesale value of $3,360,000.
Authorities monitored the cars and will allege that one was stolen - containing half of the substituted drugs - after it was delivered to a car dealership in Sydney.
The men allegedly removed the packages believed to contain ketamine and placed them into another car before abandoning the van.
The men then allegedly drove the packages to a street in Yennora where the car remained for almost two days, Watt said.
On July 1, police followed the car allegedly carrying the substituted drugs to Smithfield, where two men were arrested and search warrants were carried on two cars.
The men, aged 28 and 29, faced Parramatta Local Court yesterday and were remanded in custody to face court again on July 6.
"The AFP alleges trusted insiders placed the drugs in the vans offshore and liaised with Australian-based criminal syndicates who were monitoring the movements of the vans," Watt said.
"It highlights the continuing threat of trusted insiders in the cargo industry."
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Watt said police are continuing to investigate the source of the drugs overseas and whereabouts and when they were placed on the ship.
Bulk car-carrying ships can carry up to 8000 cars.
Australian Border Force Acting Commander Mal Nimmo said this alleged drug importation method isn't common but it isn't the first time authorities have seen it.
"It's incredible to think those behind this importation were audacious enough to think they would get away with it," he said.
"If you conduct criminal activity or try to get illegal substances through the border, we will find you and you will face the consequences."
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