25 Dec 2023

Barnacle-covered parcels of suspected cocaine wash up on Sydney's coast

5:13 pm on 25 December 2023
Police are appealing for information after the barnacle-covered drugs washed up on the NSW Central Coast.

Police are appealing for information after the barnacle-covered drugs washed up on the NSW Central Coast. Photo: Supplied / NSW Police

Seven packages of what police believe is cocaine have washed up on beaches between Newcastle and Sydney covered in barnacles.

The first of the seven packages was spotted at Magenta in the Central Coast at 8pm on Friday by a member of the public.

It was taken by police in nearby Tuggerah for examination, with presumptive testing indicating the package contained the illegal drug.

A wide-ranging search on Saturday unveiled an additional three packages, with three more found on Sunday at Manly, Avoca and Blacksmiths beaches.

Police said the recovered packages have "significant barnacle growth" covering the outer plastic wrapping, and have warned the public against removing or opening any more that are discovered.

Officers will continue to work with Surf Life Saving NSW to search beaches for more possible parcels.

Police are urging members of the public who may have seen similar packages to call triple-0, local police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

- This story was first published by the ABC.