Australian police seized more than a ton of cocaine and arrested five people in a maritime raid last Friday.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said New South Wales (NSW) police were first informed in connection with a “suspecting purchase” of a 13-meter motor cruiser paid for “heavy cash” in Sutherland Shire, Sydney on April 28th.
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NSW police have launched investigations targeting drug supply and money laundering, and have continued to gather information, including those associated with the movements of the vessel and groups.
According to the AFP, officers noticed a boat sailing north from the coastal city of Port Macquarie on May 9, and intercepted it as they returned to the coast towards the town of South Westrox, about 50 miles north of where they left.
Australian police seized more than a ton of cocaine and arrested five people in a maritime raid last Friday. (Australian Federal Police) Australian police seized more than a ton of cocaine and arrested five people in a maritime raid last Friday. (Australian Federal Police) Australian police seized more than a ton of cocaine and arrested five people in a maritime raid last Friday. (Australian Federal Police/New South Wales Police via Storyful) Australian police seized more than a ton of cocaine and arrested five people in a maritime raid last Friday. (Australian Federal Police/New South Wales Police is Storyful)
Two men on a boat, ages 24 and 26, were arrested at sea, escorted to the coast by police ship, where they were taken to the local police station. Bodycam footage recorded during the attack shows a large bundle of contraband scattered throughout the two-storey boat room. Photos released by AFP show at least one bundle is wrapped in a Louis Vuitton label.
“Police claim that about 1,110 blocks of cocaine weighing 1.039 tons is on the vessel,” the release of the Australian Federal Police said. “The seized cocaine amounts to personal hits of over a million people, with an estimated street value of $623.4 million.”
The $623.4 million AUD is equivalent to approximately $400 million.
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Three men in two vehicles were arrested after being stopped while trying to leave the area while they were arrested for nine nautical miles offshore.
None of the five men were identified by name, and footage released by Australian law enforcement was blurred. They were all charged with supplying prohibited drugs in large commercial volumes and participating in criminal groups.
Australian police seized more than a ton of cocaine and arrested five people in a maritime raid last Friday. (Australian Federal Police) Australian police seized more than a ton of cocaine and arrested five people in a maritime raid last Friday. (Australian Federal Police)
The origins of the drug and investigations of allegedly group peers are continuing.
“Australia’s vast coastline is attractive to organized crime groups trying to misuse this by attempting to import drugs using boats,” Australian Federal Police Commissioner Stephen Dummett said according to an AFP release. “The bad news for them is that AFP continues to work with their partners to target organized crime syndicates they believe can incorrectly operate as they can operate with indemnity.”
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