An Australian pilot has died after his plane, carrying almost 200kg of cocaine wrapped in fake SpaceX packaging, crashed into a sugarcane field in Brazil, according to local media reports.
The crash occurred in Coruripe, a coastal area, and the pilot was found dead outside the aircraft. Federal police said they had identified evidence of international drug trafficking.
The fire department was called at 1:48pm on Sunday, and six officers were dispatched amid concerns of an explosion, although none occurred. Debris from the plane and drugs were scattered across the field.
Local media reported that between 180kg and 195kg of cocaine was found, including more than 187 packets bearing what appeared to be fake SpaceX packaging. The drugs were taken to the Integrated Public Security Centre in Coruripe.
The aircraft was carrying extra fuel tanks, raising suspicions it was travelling a long distance. It was registered to Zambia but had been operating in Brazil for at least two years, with no flight details recorded. Federal police are continuing their investigation.
