A stunning vintage Bentley S2 that exudes luxury, boasting a flawless exterior, pristine paint job, and sleek wheels – Photo: New South Wales Police
In a recent incident, Australian authorities seized a 1960 Bentley S2 worth a staggering $106 million. However, this astronomical value is not attributed to the car itself.
The discovery unfolded when Australian border forces conducted an X-ray scan on a cargo container containing the vintage Bentley, which had just arrived at Sydney port from Canada. To their surprise, they stumbled upon a substantial amount of illegal goods, including crystal meth and cocaine.
Upon further investigation of the vehicle, law enforcement officers uncovered these illicit substances cunningly concealed beneath the classic headlights. Subsequently, the border forces handed over the Bentley to the local police. After meticulously dismantling the car, they revealed a shocking total of 161kg of crystal meth and 60kg of cocaine, amounting to a combined value of $106 million.
The hidden contraband cleverly stashed inside the headlight compartment – Photo: New South Wales Police
Rather than retaining possession of the Bentley, the Australian police returned the vehicle to circulation after removing the illegal cargo. Their goal was to trace the final destination of the contraband, leading to the eventual arrest of a high-profile domestic drug trafficking organization.
Australia has long been grappling with a widespread drug problem. The exorbitant prices and strong demand for illicit substances have made the country an attractive target for criminal syndicates involved in drug trafficking. Vehicles, in particular, have proven to be an effective camouflage for smuggling contraband.
It is not only in Australia that cars have been utilized for smuggling purposes. Similar cases of contraband hidden within vehicles have been reported in North America. Both exported and newly manufactured cars have been intercepted at the US-Mexico border with significant quantities of concealed illegal substances.
The most common hiding spots on vehicles include the door frames, behind the headlights, under the car floor, and inside the tires.