Australian authorities have intercepted over a tonne of cocaine, valued at approximately $623 million, from a vessel off the coast of New South Wales. The operation, led by the NSW Police Organised Crime Squad with support from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), resulted in the arrest of five individuals. The suspects, aged between 24 and 35, face charges related to drug trafficking and involvement in a criminal group. All five have been denied bail and are scheduled to appear in Parramatta Bail Court.
The cocaine haul consisted of 1,110 blocks, each weighing approximately one kilogram, equating to over a million individual doses. The operation was initiated following intelligence about the suspicious purchase of a boat in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire on April 28. Authorities tracked the vessel to the South West Rocks area, where the drugs were discovered. Search warrants executed at various locations yielded additional evidence.
This seizure marks one of the largest drug busts in Australian history and underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat organized crime and drug trafficking in the region. Investigations into the origins of the cocaine and potential international connections are ongoing.
