Canberra (Agencies): Australian authorities have made the largest cocaine seizure in the nation’s history, arresting 13 individuals and confiscating 2.3 tonnes of the drug with a street value of 760 million Australian dollars ($494 million), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced on Monday.
The arrests followed a months-long investigation triggered by intelligence linking a motorcycle gang to a major smuggling operation. Authorities tracked a fishing boat allegedly used to rendezvous with a “mother ship” carrying the cocaine off the coast of Queensland.
The vessel broke down approximately 18 kilometers (10 nautical miles) offshore, leading police to intercept and arrest 11 men and two juveniles.
“This alleged attempt to collect more than two tonnes of cocaine from the ocean shows that criminals will do anything for their own greed and profit,” AFP Commander Stephen Jay stated. He highlighted the severe risks involved in such operations, both in terms of legal consequences and personal safety.
The investigation underscores the extreme measures criminal networks are willing to take, with Jay emphasizing the harm these illicit enterprises inflict on Australian communities.
The historic bust marks a significant victory for Australian law enforcement in its ongoing battle against international drug trafficking. Authorities have vowed to continue cracking down on criminal organizations operating in the region.