Man charged after 140kg of cocaine ‘found in boat engines’

More than 100 kilograms of cocaine have been found hidden in boat engines imported into Australia.

Rhys Alwyn Ferszt, 35, appeared on Tuesday in Southport Magistrates Court after being accused of importing 140 kilograms of the drug into Queensland from the United States.

A large number of plastic-wrapped blocks were found inside two wooden-crated marine engines in a container that arrived in Brisbane from California on October 28, 2024, police said.

Police said they found the plastic-wrapped drug bricks inside boat engines being delivered from California.Credit: Australian Federal Police

They allege the blocks tested positive to cocaine and were swapped for an “inert substance” before being placed back inside the engines.

The shipment was tracked as it was delivered to a Mount Nathan property in the Gold Coast hinterland on November 14, before the contents were taken to a nearby Wongawallan site the next day, police said.

Ferszt allegedly visited the Wongawallan property that night and tried to retrieve the blocks, but left empty-handed.

The Australian Federal Police executed search warrants at Ferszt’s Burleigh Heads home, as well as the Mount Nathan and Wongawallan properties three days later.

Police said a forklift allegedly hired by Ferszt to move the crates was found in a shed, along with the boat engines, at the Wongawallan property, with mobile phones and power tools among the items seized.

Ferszt was charged on Monday with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border-controlled drug.

The maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

He was remanded in custody and his matter was adjourned to May 19.

AAP