WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Australian authorities reported the confiscation of an unprecedented 2.3 tons of cocaine, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals after their vessel malfunctioned off the Queensland coast, as disclosed on Monday.
The illicit drugs, valued at around 760 million Australian dollars (approximately $494,000), could have translated into as many as 11.7 million street-level transactions had they successfully entered the market in the nation of 28 million, according to officials from the federal police.
During a press briefing in Brisbane, investigators revealed that the narcotics were shipped from a yet-to-be-identified country in South America. The arrests, which took place over the weekend, stemmed from an investigation lasting a month, triggered by a tip-off regarding the Comancheros motorcycle gang’s intentions to orchestrate a large-scale smuggling venture, stated Australian Federal Police Commander Stephen Jay.
The suspects attempted to transport the drugs via sea from a mothership situated hundreds of kilometers offshore, Jay noted. Their initial vessel encountered mechanical issues, and during the second unsuccessful attempt on Saturday, the boat capsized, leaving the individuals stranded for several hours before police intervened to confiscate the drugs from the fishing vessel. The mothership remained in international waters and evaded capture, Jay added.
Previously, authorities had seized over one ton of cocaine, but this recent operation marks the highest amount ever seized in Australian history. Those detained are facing charges of conspiracy to import drugs into Australia via maritime routes, with court appearances scheduled on Monday. The severe charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Among the arrested were several individuals who were apprehended on the boat, while others awaited the narcotics on land. It was noted that two of those detained were minors, and all individuals involved were Australian citizens.
“Australia presents a highly appealing target for organized criminal groups seeking to distribute drugs like cocaine,” Jay stated.
