Australian Federal Police say the two.3-tonne seizure has a avenue worth of $494m.
Australian police have arrested 13 individuals in what authorities described because the largest-ever cocaine bust within the nation’s historical past.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) stated on Monday that that they had charged 11 males and two juveniles after monitoring a fishing boat that allegedly travelled to fulfill a mom ship loaded with cocaine off the coast of Queensland.
After the boat broke down 18km (10 nautical miles) off the coast, police carried out a number of arrests and seized 2.3 tonnes of cocaine with a avenue worth of 760 million Australian {dollars} ($494m), the AFP stated.
The arrests adopted a months-long investigation prompted by a tip-off {that a} bike gang was planning to smuggle medication into the nation, AFP Commander Stephen Jay stated.
“We all know that criminals go to excessive lengths, and infrequently danger their very own lives, to smuggle medication into Australia with no regard to the hurt they trigger to Australian communities,” Jay stated.
“This alleged try to gather greater than two tonnes of cocaine from the ocean exhibits that criminals will do something for their very own greed and revenue. Anybody concerned in these at-sea trafficking enterprises isn’t just risking their freedom – they’re additionally risking their life.”
The arrested people, every of whom was charged with conspiracy to import a industrial amount of border-controlled medication, had been anticipated to seem earlier than court docket on Monday.
They face a most penalty of life imprisonment if convicted.
In 2023-24, Australian police seized 31.3 tonnes of illicit medication and assisted worldwide authorities in seizing 41.8 tonnes of medication, in keeping with the AFP.
