New South Wales police have issued a public warning regarding packages suspected of containing cocaine that have been discovered on beaches stretching from Sydney to Newcastle. At least seven packages, displaying “significant barnacle growth” on their outer plastic wrapping, have been found on beaches since Friday night. Authorities cautioned the public on Sunday not to open or handle any additional packages discovered.
The initial discovery was made by a member of the public at Magenta, north of Sydney on the Central Coast, around 8 pm on Friday. Local police responded, removed the barnacle-covered item, and subjected it to further examination and testing, revealing presumptive testing indicating the presence of cocaine.
Following the establishment of a crime scene and a comprehensive search on Saturday, three more similar packages were found. On Sunday, officers conducted additional searches along the coast and discovered comparable packages at Manly beach in Sydney, Blacksmiths beach in Lake Macquarie, and Avoca beach on the Central Coast. All located parcels have been sent for further examination.
Police urged the public to report any sightings of similar packages and emphasized the importance of not opening or handling them. They advised immediate contact with emergency services if such packages are found. Collaboration with Surf Life Saving NSW is ongoing as searches continue on the beaches. The investigation is underway, and authorities are seeking information from the public to aid in their efforts.
