Australian authorities have made the largest cocaine bust in the country’s history, seizing 2.3 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of approximately $494 million. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested 13 people, including 11 men and two juveniles, following a months-long investigation into a drug-smuggling operation.
The operation was triggered by a tip-off that a motorcycle gang was planning to smuggle drugs into the country. The arrests occurred after a fishing boat, which had allegedly met a mother ship loaded with cocaine off the coast of Queensland, broke down about 18 kilometers from the shore.
The seizure was made possible by careful tracking of the fishing boat, which had been in communication with the mother ship. When the boat broke down, police were able to act quickly, arresting the individuals involved and confiscating the cocaine.
This operation, according to AFP Commander Stephen Jay, highlights the extreme lengths to which criminals are willing to go, risking their lives and freedom to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia. The AFP emphasized the harm such operations cause to Australian communities and the dangerous methods criminals employ to traffic drugs.
Australian Authorities Seize Record 2.3-Tonne Cocaine Haul Worth $494 Million, Arrest 13 Individuals
The 13 arrested individuals face serious charges, including conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs. The potential penalty for these charges is life imprisonment, underscoring the severity of the crime. The authorities were confident that this bust would disrupt a significant portion of the drug trade in the region, sending a strong message to those involved in drug trafficking operations.
This seizure is part of a broader effort by the AFP to combat the growing problem of illicit drug trade. In the 2023-24 period, Australian authorities seized 31.3 tonnes of illicit drugs domestically and assisted international authorities in the seizure of another 41.8 tonnes.
The AFP’s success in intercepting such a large quantity of drugs highlights the ongoing collaboration between domestic and international agencies to curb drug trafficking on a global scale.
The AFP’s efforts in this investigation demonstrate their commitment to addressing the serious and harmful impact of drug smuggling in Australia. By taking down large-scale operations like this one, the AFP aims to prevent drugs from reaching Australian streets and to hold criminals accountable for their actions.
The bust also serves as a reminder of the dangerous and illicit methods used to smuggle drugs, often involving sophisticated networks that operate both at sea and on land.
