Tonne of coke and ecstasy found on yacht bound for Australia

A huge haul of illicit drugs worth more than a billion dollars has been discovered after a yacht ran aground on an Aussie reef.

The bags of illicit drugs were concealed under seaweed. Picture: AAP

About one tonne of illicit drugs has been found on a West Australian island after a yacht ran aground on a reef, with two foreign nationals charged over the massive seizure.

Members of the public on Monday told police about the stricken vessel named “Zero” near Stick Island, which is part of the Houtman Abrolhos archipelago west of Geraldton, and the unusual movements of its crew.

About one tonne of illicit drugs has been found on a West Australian island after a yacht ran aground on a reef. Picture: AAP

Police said they found French man Antoine Robert Dicenta, 51, and British man Graham Kurt Palmer, 34, about seven kilometres away on Burton Island on Tuesday.

They had allegedly travelled there using an inflatable dinghy, powered by an outboard motor, and had paddles.

About 40 seaweed-covered bags containing up to one tonne of suspected illicit drugs was found on the island, with preliminary tests indicating they included cocaine and ecstasy.

The pair faced Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday and were remanded in custody to appear again on September 20.

The bags of illicit drugs were concealed under seaweed. Picture: AAP

WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said the men allegedly sailed across the Indian Ocean, but work continued with international authorities to confirm where they came from.

“The fishing community of Geraldton played a significant role in this detection and seizure and maintained regular contact with police as this matter unfolded,” Mr Dawson said.

“These people have helped protect Western Australia’s borders on this occasion and we are grateful for their efforts.”