More than a tonne of cocaine has been seized off the east coast, and five men were arrested after police raided a suspicious motorboat.
Detectives were tipped off about the suspicious purchase of the 13-metre-long boat with a large sum of cash in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire on April 28.
Police said they began investigating and intercepted the vessel on Friday as it was travelling towards South West Rocks on NSW’s northern coast.
Officers allegedly found 1,110 blocks of cocaine together weighing more than a tonne on board.
Police estimated that this amount of cocaine is worth $623 million on the street.
Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on board while another three men, aged 28, 29 and 35, were taken into custody on shore after officers stopped two cars trying to leave the area.
Searches of Newcastle homes led to police seizing electronic devices, documents, clothing and cash.
The two men on board the boat have been charged with supplying a prohibited drug - large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group.
The three men on shore were charged with taking part in supplying a prohibited drug - large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group.
All five faced Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, where they were formally refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on July 15.
“Australia’s vast coastline is attractive to organised crime groups, who attempt to exploit this by trying to import drugs using boats,” Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said in a statement.
“The bad news for them is the AFP will continue to work together with our partners to target organised crime syndicates who wrongly believe they can operate with impunity.”
