Massive $61m cocaine haul on yacht after police notice ‘enclosed sections’ of hull

Nearly 250kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $61 million has been seized from a yacht moored in Townsville, as the identities of two men charged in relation to the discovery have been revealed. WATCH THE VIDEO

Nearly 250kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $61 million has been seized from a yacht moored in Townsville with two men charged over the discovery having their cases mentioned in a Brisbane court on Monday.

The Australian Federal Police officers charged the men, both residents of the Australian Capital Territory, for allegedly importing the commercial quantities of cocaine.

The men, Rachid Kachour, 55, and Matthieu Anthony Rees, 44, were arrested at an apartment last week and were extradited to Brisbane at the weekend.

Their cases were briefly mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday. Neither appeared in person and there were no applications for bail.

The Australian Federal Police released an image of one of the men, centre, who was extradited to Brisbane on the weekend.

Police allege the men travelled to Townsville from Canberra in April to recover the drugs that were hidden in the yacht’s hull after it had sailed in from Vanuatu.

The officers, in tandem with Australian Border Force, discovered “minor anomalies” with the vessel’s hull and removed 247kg of cocaine hidden in enclosed sections.

AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer, who alleged the street value of $61m, said investigations were continuing as to the origin of the cocaine.

Supt Telfer said investigators did not believe the two men owned the vessel and were still establishing who owned it and who brought the drugs to Australia.

He said the two French nationals did not have any history of sailing and that their alleged involvement was picking up the cocaine.

Supt Telfer said police will allege: “They (the two men) are a part of a criminal network which in my view was quite organised,” Supt Telfer said.

Supt Telfer said investigators were yet to establish the purity of the cocaine.

Two men have appeared in court after police services seized an estimated $61m worth of cocaine from a yacht in Townsville.

Police also allege a backpack containing nearly $300,000 in cash in a vacuum sealed bag was thrown off the apartment balcony by one of the men when officers knocked on the door and announced they had a search warrant.

It will be alleged the cash is proceeds of crime.

Police investigated further after “anomalies” were detected in the yacht’s hull. .

Superintendent Telfer said the cocaine trade fuelled violence on Australian streets and increased the power of organised crime.

“Every time someone buys cocaine they are lining the pockets of organised crime gangs who are responsible for violence here in Australia and around the world,” he said.

“That’s money which criminal groups would use to buy weapons, corrupt officials and governments overseas and turn the Pacific into an illicit drug super highway.

Two men have appeared in court after police services seized an estimated $61m worth of cocaine from a yacht in Townsville.

“The AFP and our partners will work to stop drugs like cocaine from hitting Australian shores because illicit drugs contribute to the road toll, child neglect and domestic violence.”

Det Supt Telfer said the investigation was ongoing and did not rule out more arrests.

Border Force commander James Copeman said the bust was a prime example of Australian law enforcement agencies working together to protect the community.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a container laden with heroin, an envelope full of methamphetamine or a sailing vessel packed with cocaine, our officers have the skills, technology and inquisitive mindset to detect it,” Mr Copeman said.

The yacht arrived in Townsville earlier this year.

Both men were charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and dealing in the proceeds of a crime worth more than $100,000.

Acting Superintendent Tim Leadbetter, AFP Superintendent Adrian Telfer and Melati Smith from Australian Border Force. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Queensland Police Service Chief Superintendent Craig Morrow said disrupting the supply and distribution of illegal drug networks was a major priority.

“Joint operations like these combine the resources and intelligence of each enforcement agency to detect, disrupt and deter the illegal drug trade in our country,” Supt Morrow said.

 “The aim is to stop them from entering our community and causing untold damages to people and families.”

Kachour’s matters were adjourned until tomorrow while he sought legal representation.

Rees’ matters were adjourned until September 1.

Both men were remanded in custody.