A CONSIGNMENT of wooden furniture was used to conceal almost 70kg of cocaine, authorities says.
A 45-year-old South African man was charged after a joint investigation by the Australian Border Force and New South Wales Police.
A consignment carrying wooden furniture arrived in Sydney from South Africa in early April.
The container was taken to the ABF Sydney Container Examination Facility for x-ray, where anomalies were discovered in shipping crates.
A total of 61 packages containing a white powder were found concealed within the base of the crate.
Analysis determined the packages contained 68kg of cocaine, which authorities estimate had a potential street value of $34m.
Detectives from the NSWPF Organised Crime Squad and ABF investigators, with help from the Australian Federal Police established Strike Force Warranbool to investigate the import.
Investigators did a controlled delivery to a storage facility at Campbelltown, Sydney, on 16 April.
A South African man, attended the facility and was arrested. Following the arrest, investigators raided premises in Campbelltown, seizing relevant items.
The man was charged with the importation and possession of border controlled drugs. He was denied bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court. Investigations under Strike Force Warranbool are said to be continuing.
