Key Points
- Thirteen people have been arrested after police intercepted more than two tonnes of cocaine.
- The cocaine had an estimated street value of around $760 million.
- Police allege one of the men arrested was a member of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle club.
Police said the cocaine, which had been bundled in 40kg bales, had an estimated street value of around $760 million, with the potential to equate to 11.7 million individual street deals if it had reached the community.
Packages in the boat intercepted by police. Credit: Australian Federal Police
The men arrested on Saturday night and early Sunday included the crew of recreational fishing boat allegedly being used to import the drugs and people who were allegedly planning to collect the drugs on shore.
The arrests were made following a joint investigation codenamed Operation Tyrrendor between the AFP and Queensland Police Service (QPS) into a transnational organised crime syndicate.
AFP commander Stephen Jay said drug traffickers operating a sea were “not just risking their freedom — they’re also risking their life”.
“This seizure and the arrests will undoubtedly prevent widespread harm to families and individuals across the state.”
The navy believed it had uncovered a new underwater drug route between Colombia and Australia, however the AFP have not alleged there is any connection between this and the seizure made on the weekend.