Local authorities said five men were arrested on Friday, occupying more than a ton of cocaine along Australia's coast.
NSW (NSW) police force investigators obtained intelligence on suspiciously buying a ship in cash in late April and began following the ship and participants’ actions, the NSW and the Federal Police (AFP) said in a joint press release.
According to the agencies, both New South Wales and AFP monitored their activities as they drove north through Nelson Bay and Macquarie Port.
When the ship returned to shore on Friday, marine authorities initiated an interception.
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Authorities say about 1,110 cocaine weighs 1.039 tons, with an estimated potential street value of nearly $400 million. (New South Wales Police/Australian Federal Police)
Authorities found about 1,110 cocaine on the ship, weighing 1.039 tons. Authorities say the potential street value of cocaine is estimated to be nearly $400 million.
Two men, 24 and 26, were arrested on the boat. Three other people were arrested on the shore when police found the vehicle attempted to leave the area. (New South Wales Police/Australian Federal Police)
Two men, 24 and 26, were arrested on the boat. Three men, 28, 29 and 35, were arrested on the shore after investigators stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the area.
NWS and AFP investigators work together to follow the movement of individuals involved in ships and busts. (New South Wales Police/Australian Federal Police)
"Australia's vast coastline is attractive to organized crime groups, who are trying to exploit this by trying to use ships to import drugs," said AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto. "The bad news for them is that AFP will continue to target organized crime groups with our partners who mistakenly believe they can operate without punishment."
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Two men arrested on the ship were charged with providing illicit drugs in large commercial quantities, while three men arrested on the shore were charged with participating in providing illicit drugs in large commercial quantities. All five face charges of participating in a criminal group.
All five people appeared in court and were denied bail.
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Investigators are working to further understand the origins of the drugs and what the group calls colleagues.