Suspected cocaine bricks wash up on Australian beaches

It’s not the type of white powder you’d expect to see on Christmas Eve.

Bricks of what authorities believe to be cocaine wrapped up in barnacles washed up on the beaches of Australia this weekend, according to police — who are warning the public against opening any packages they may find.

Seven packages — all suspected to contain cocaine — washed ashore on beaches between Newcastle and Sydney since Friday night, New South Wales Police said in a release.

The first package was discovered by a beachgoer around 8 p.m. Friday in the coastal suburb of Magenta, located about 65 miles north of Sydney.

“Local police attended and removed the barnacle-covered item, which was sent for further examination and testing,” authorities wrote in the release.

“Police have now been told presumptive testing indicates the package contains cocaine.”

A crime scene was established prompting a “wide-ranging search of the area” on Saturday and the discovery of three additional packages.

Authorities on Sunday searched coastal stations and located “similar packages” at Manly, Avoca and Blacksmiths beaches.

All of the packages have been sent out for further examination.

The packages recovered so far “have had significant barnacle growth covering the outer plastic wrapping,” police said.

Investigators have urged anyone who may have seen similar packages to contact their local police.

“Police are keen to warn the public against removing or opening any of the packages and, if found, to call triple zero immediately,” they added.