Mr Mazzitelli told The Australian that the Mexican cartels had turned to the 'Ndrangheta -- which was formed in the Calabria region in Italy's south and is now the most powerful of the Italian mafias -- to help them establish business in new markets.

"The Mexican drug trafficking organisations need to expand in the global market," Mr Mazzitelli said. "And in this respect, 'Ndrangheta -- with its big diaspora, with its branches all over the world and in very promising markets like Australia -- offer an ideal partner for drug entrepreneurs from Mexico."

The 'Ndrangheta gained national infamy after being linked to the killing of anti-drugs crusader Donald McKay in the NSW town of Griffith in 1977 and was accused of widespread drug production and distribution in a subsequent royal commission.

An Australian law enforcement source said police had discovered links between the two crime groups, but added that he believed there was "no international cartel in place".

"(Mexican cartels) are hooked in with some Italians, yes, but not very many," he said.

In 2008, Italian authorities valued the 'Ndrangheta's drug trade at $38 billion, due to its close relationships with Colombian cocaine bosses.

Australian authorities say they have noticed a new trend where Colombian groups are allowing rival Mexican cartels to bring their product into the country.

"We've been told that a lot of Colombian coke has been brought in here by the Mexicans," a law enforcement source said. "So the Mexicans have got the rights to move it."

Mr Mazzitelli said recent seizures in Australia had caught his attention.

"One of things that we are quite puzzled by is that there is not much cocaine moving through Mexico," Mr Mazzitelli said.

"That is one of the reasons why I was quite interested in the seizures in Australia, with containers coming from Mexico."