National

$1billion cocaine importation foiled by police

By AAP Newswire

Dec 2, 2024

Seized cocaine wrapped by federal police after a bust in 2023. — Seized cocaine wrapped and labelled by federal police after a drug importation bust in 2023. -AAP Image

The largest attempted importation of cocaine in Australia's history has been thwarted by police who have charged more than a dozen people over the billion-dollar haul.

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Australian Federal Police charged 11 men and two juveniles with conspiring to import 2.34 tonnes of cocaine into the country by sea.

It is alleged the men and crew of a vessel attempted to import the drugs into Queensland with multiple groups planning to collect the cocaine onshore.

The men were arrested on Saturday following a collaborative effort by the AFP and Queensland police investigating a transnational organised crime syndicate.Â

The amount of cocaine allegedly attempted to be imported weighs the same as a Ford Raptor ute.

The drug bust comes after police seized more than $160 million worth of the illicit substance in April.

Three men were charged by the AFP over the plot when 500kg of cocaine was seized off a boat ramp in central Queensland.Officers found 15 black and yellow waterproof bags which contained 32 blocks weighing 1kg each that tested positive for cocaine.

Australian Border Force and federal police have seized more than 33.7 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors in the past financial year.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press