The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has charged three men after they allegedly imported over half a tonne of cocaine into Western Australia via boat.
The AFP allege the trio bought a boat to collect cocaine that was wrapped in black plastics and dropped into the water by a bulk carrier off the WA coast.
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The operation was prompted by a tip-off about a suspicious vessel, leading to the interception of a bulk carrier off Fremantle on August 9.
Two days later, the agency raided a residence in Kalbarri, a coastal town north of Perth, seizing 560 kilograms of cocaine valued at $224 million. Officers also seized a boat, two vehicles, and around $30,000 in cash.
Additional searches were also conducted at properties allegedly linked to the three men in Toogoolawah, Taigum, and Redcliffe in Queensland.
Subsequent investigations led to a search warrant being executed on a bulk carrier in Port Lincoln, South Australia.
Three Queensland men, aged 49, 32, and 29, were arrested as part of this multi-agency operation.
The 49-year-old and 32-year-old are facing drug importation and possession charges, while the 29-year-old faces possession charges.
All three are expected to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court in the coming month.
ABF Commander Ranjeev Maharaj said they would continue to detect, disrupt and dismantle transnational organised crime.
“This is the second time in as many months that the collective effort of ABF officers and our law enforcement partners have successfully disrupted brazen attempts at bringing large quantities of cocaine along WA’s coastline.”
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