Alleged drug-smuggling syndicate smashed as cocaine found in yacht
POLICE have seized 700kg of cocaine worth $245 million and arrested three men as part of a multi-agency investigation into international drug trafficking by sea.
NSW
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POLICE have seized 700kg of cocaine worth $245 million and arrested three men as part of a multi-agency investigation into international drug trafficking by sea.
A cocaine-filled yacht was intercepted at Lake Macquarie yesterday after an joint operation involving the NSW Police Force State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad, Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
During the operation, a 68-year-old man was arrested on board the vessel at Toronto, a 47-year-old man was arrested at a hotel at Warners Bay, and a 63-year-old man was arrested at a home at Islington.
In addition, multiple search warrants were executed across the Lake Macquarie area with the assistance of Strike Force Raptor, and further warrants were executed by AFP in Western Australia and Thailand.
In August, investigators commenced a joint investigation into the importation of cocaine by private vessels.
The investigation has also been assisted by the Australian Border Force.
The investigation led to the interception of a yacht at Toronto in NSW on Wednesday when at least half a tonne of cocaine was found concealed in the yacht’s hull. The Catana 42 had sailed from Tahiti.
Police said the drugs came from South America and they are now working with overseas police to find the origin of the drugs. They believe the drugs were shipped by a major cartel possibly from Mexico or Columbia.
NSWPF State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon, said the results of recent joint agency investigations are indicative of the seriousness of NSW’s thirst for illicit drugs, particularly cocaine.
“As we recently highlighted, the Organised Crime Squad — with the assistance of our law enforcement partners both here and abroad — has seized tonnes of prohibited drugs and precursors destined for the streets of NSW,” Assistant Commissioner Lanyon said.
“With every seizure we make, a syndicate is taken down, but the demand remains high, and another organised criminal syndicate is willing to flip the coin and risk it all to try and exploit that demand for profit.”
AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan, National Manager Organised Crime and Cyber, said the drug-filled vessel had passed through Tahiti before making its way to the East Coast of Australia.
“It is no surprise that criminal syndicates undertake sophisticated attempts that go to great lengths — even crossing oceans in relatively small craft — to import narcotics,” Assistant Commissioner Gaughan said.
“This is nothing more than an attempt to flood our streets with dangerous narcotics to make a profit, with police, health professionals and the community picking up the bill for all the peripheral damage they will cause.”
The three men were charged with import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today, where they were formally bail refused to appear at the same court on Tuesday, 30 January 2018.