Australian police arrest 13 people and seize a record 2.3 tons of cocaine from a fishing boat

Australian police arrest 13, seize 2.3 tons of cocaine on a boat

nytimes

After Months of Cocaine Washing Ashore, Australian Police Make an Arrest

Australia’s biggest cocaine bust seized from broken down boat at sea

Arrest made after massive amount of cocaine mysteriously washes up on Australian beaches

Guardian

Man charged over cocaine bricks washed up on New South Wales beaches

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized 2.34 metric tons of cocaine, worth A$760M (US$494M), after a recreational fishing vessel broke down 18 kilometers (11 miles) off Queensland's coast, leading to the arrest of thirteen suspects.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized 2.34 metric tons of cocaine, worth A$760M (US$494M), after a recreational fishing vessel broke down 18 kilometers (11 miles) off Queensland's coast, leading to the arrest of thirteen suspects.

The operation began in November 2024 following intelligence that the Comanchero motorcycle gang was planning to import drugs, prompting a joint investigation between federal and Queensland police.

The operation began in November 2024 following intelligence that the Comanchero motorcycle gang was planning to import drugs, prompting a joint investigation between federal and Queensland police.

The smugglers attempted two separate boat operations to retrieve cocaine from a mothership in international waters, with both vessels experiencing mechanical failures during their missions.

The smugglers attempted two separate boat operations to retrieve cocaine from a mothership in international waters, with both vessels experiencing mechanical failures during their missions.

Police arrested eleven men and two juveniles, including the Brisbane vice president of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, charging all suspects with conspiracy to import commercial quantities of drugs.

Police arrested eleven men and two juveniles, including the Brisbane vice president of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, charging all suspects with conspiracy to import commercial quantities of drugs.

The cocaine haul, equivalent to 11.7 million individual street deals, represents the largest cocaine seizure in Australian history and was discovered wrapped in 51 bales with roped netting.

Al Jazeera

The cocaine haul, equivalent to 11.7 million individual street deals, represents the largest cocaine seizure in Australian history and was discovered wrapped in 51 bales with roped netting.

Australian authorities seized 31.3 tonnes of illicit drugs domestically in 2023/24 and assisted international authorities in seizing an additional 41.8 tonnes of drugs.

Australian authorities seized 31.3 tonnes of illicit drugs domestically in 2023/24 and assisted international authorities in seizing an additional 41.8 tonnes of drugs.

Record $760M Cocaine Bust as Smugglers' Boat Breaks Down

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Record $760M Cocaine Bust as Smugglers' Boat Breaks Down

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