’Suspicious’ White Powder Packages Washed Up on Beaches in Australia

A view along Elliot Heads, in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. (Google Maps/Screenshot)

Police officers in Queensland, Australia are seeking public help after two packages of white powder were found washed up on beaches in Bundaberg.

Two separate one-kilogram (2.2 pounds) packages of white powder were found—one at Elliott Heads on Dec. 21, and another further north at Mon Repos on Dec. 27, according to a police release.

Superintendent Craig Hawkins of the Wide Bay Burnett District said police suspect the brick-sized packages contain an illicit substance.

“Obviously the nature of the way it was packaged and the way it’s been presented certainly we strongly suspect it’s an illegal substance,” Hawkins said to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (The ABC).

Police are waiting for the results of forensic examination of the mysterious powder.

“The early indications are that it’s an illegal substance but until we have it formally analysed by our forensic analysts we won’t know for sure.”

The blocks of white powder are suspected to be cocaine, according to 7 News.

Hawkins added that Australian Border Force authorities are trying to figure out where the packages came from.

Police are concerned because there are many children and tourists in the area where the packages were found, especially over the risk that the packages may be harmful to the handler.

Hawkins said it is possible that more packages may wash ashore due to tidal flows and ocean currents.

The public is urged to report to police if they find any suspicious packages, and to not open them “as the substance could be hazardous.”

“Any further information we can get from the public may help us establish the locations of further packages,” Hawkins said.

“Anyone who was at sea or on the coastline near these locations and saw anything suspicious in the water or other suspicious activity is urged to contact police.”

Cocaine Bust in August

In Aug. 2018, packages of white powder were found off Byron Bay, NSW, about 500 km (310 miles) south of Bundaberg, in one of Australia’s largest drug busts. About 600 kilograms (1100 pounds) of cocaine were found in the ocean having been tossed overboard by suspected drug traffickers.

“That we have stopped such a large amount of cocaine from hitting the streets of Australia is a testament to the combined efforts of all agencies involved,” Australian Federal Police detective superintendent Andrew Donoghoe said in a statement on Aug. 2, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Two men were charged after Border Force and defence officers who were patrolling the coast from the air saw their vessel heading towards coast.

Police alleged the men then dumped their drugs overboard and tried to flee, but police sent a boat to intercept them and caught them about 70 kilometres (43 miles) off Byron Bay.

The two men, Dru Anthony Baggaley, 36, and Anthony Trevor Draper, 53, were charged with possessing a commercial quantity of illegal drugs.

Australians: If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day. You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24 hrs per day.