Australia’s top federal drug enforcement official has raised alarms over international drug cartels using semi-submersible vessels to breach Australia’s extensive maritime borders. These vessels, often referred to as “narco-submarines,” operate just below the ocean’s surface, making them difficult to detect via radar or sonar.
“It’s a very concerning emerging threat. We are starting to see evidence from our partners in South America detecting those submarines,” said Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Paula Hudson. She cited a recent incident where a semi-submersible intercepted in Mexico was carrying three to four tonnes of cocaine destined for Australia.
Authorities are particularly concerned about semi-submersibles because of the volume of drugs they can import. “We know that the best bang for their buck is to get drugs in by the tonnages and that’s going to come by water, so that is our most vulnerable place,” Hudson added.
In addition to traditional drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, European crime syndicates are introducing new substances into the Australian market.
“These emerging drugs that we keep seeing on the horizon like pink cocaine and ketamine are really spiking,” Hudson noted. The AFP seized more than 130 kilograms of pink cocaine in 2024, shows the growing threat of novel illicit substances.