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Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Over a ton of cocaine worth nearly half a billion dollars seized off Australian coast
Over a ton of cocaine worth close to nearly half a billion dollars has been seized from a boat off the coast of Australia, officials have confirmed. Detectives from the Organised Crime Squad in Australia have charged five people following the seizure of the drugs from a vessel off the New South Wales coast after police there obtained potential intelligence to the drugs following a 'suspicious purchase' of a 43-foot-long motor cruiser paid for by just cash in Sydney's Sutherland Shire on April 28, according to a joint statement from the New South Wales Police Force and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). MORE: 3 climbers dead after falling off mountain while rappelling 'On Friday (9 May 2025), as the vessel travelled back to shore - towards South West Rocks - it was intercepted by the Marine Area Command about 9.30am.,' the statement said. 'Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on board and escorted to shore by the police vessel. They were taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station.' Approximately 1,110 blocks of cocaine, weighing 1.039 tons were located on the vessel, police confirmed. MORE: Woman arrested after raccoon named Chewy found with meth pipe in driver's seat during police stop 'The seized cocaine equates to over a million individual hits, with an estimated potential street value of $623.4 million,' (more than $400 million U.S. dollars) police said. Three other people – aged 28, 29 and 35 - were simultaneously arrested on shore after investigators stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the South West Rocks area and they were taken to Taree Police Station. MORE: Parents arrested after their 1-year-old tests positive for fentanyl and THC MORE: Sheila the runaway kangaroo causes car crash, shuts down Alabama highway Forensic specialists are currently examining the seized drugs and will be conducting further testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs. 'The two men at Coffs Harbour were charged with supply prohibited drug - large commercial quantity and participate in criminal group,' Australian officials said. 'The three men at Taree were charged with take part in supply prohibited drug - large commercial quantity and participate in criminal group.' MORE: Funeral director trashed over 6,500 bodies of pets, used fake ashes to defraud customers out of $650,000: Officials All five of the suspects appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday where they were all formally refused bail and mandated to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on July 15, authorities said. 'The AFP and NSW Police Force have a long history of disrupting criminal networks attempting to import drugs that destroy our community. Combining our resources and expertise allows us to get successful outcomes like the one we are announcing today,' AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said. 'Australia's vast coastline is attractive to organised crime groups, who attempt to exploit this by trying to import drugs using boats. 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. NSW Police State Crime Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein said these arrests are testament to how rapidly our policing resources can coordinate and stop significant amounts of drug coming into NSW. MORE: 13-year-old girl dead after 25-foot fall through attic floor at her after-school program 'Whether on land or sea, NSW Police have the investigative capability to disrupt and undermine criminal enterprise,' Weinstein said. "This seizure shows how our continuous monitoring of known organised crime methodologies with industry partners, can be actioned into a successful multi-agency operation with those involved immediately arrested to prevent illicit drugs entering NSW. Our ability to pivot and protect the community is evident in this week's actions. Make no mistake these drugs, if allowed to enter our communities, would have had devastating impacts on people's lives and social cohesion, particularly in regional townships.' Investigations into the origin of the drugs and the group's alleged associates remain ongoing. Over a ton of cocaine worth nearly half a billion dollars seized off Australian coast originally appeared on
13-05-2025
Over a ton of cocaine worth nearly half a billion dollars seized off Australian coast
LONDON -- Over a ton of cocaine worth close to nearly half a billion dollars has been seized from a boat off the coast of Australia, officials have confirmed. Detectives from the Organised Crime Squad in Australia have charged five people following the seizure of the drugs from a vessel off the New South Wales coast after police there obtained potential intelligence to the drugs following a 'suspicious purchase' of a 43-foot-long motor cruiser paid for by just cash in Sydney's Sutherland Shire on April 28, according to a joint statement from the New South Wales Police Force and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). 'On Friday (9 May 2025), as the vessel travelled back to shore - towards South West Rocks - it was intercepted by the Marine Area Command about 9.30am.,' the statement said. 'Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on board and escorted to shore by the police vessel. They were taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station.' Approximately 1,110 blocks of cocaine, weighing 1.039 tons were located on the vessel, police confirmed. 'The seized cocaine equates to over a million individual hits, with an estimated potential street value of $623.4 million,' (more than $400 million U.S. dollars) police said. Three other people – aged 28, 29 and 35 - were simultaneously arrested on shore after investigators stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the South West Rocks area and they were taken to Taree Police Station. Forensic specialists are currently examining the seized drugs and will be conducting further testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs. 'The two men at Coffs Harbour were charged with supply prohibited drug - large commercial quantity and participate in criminal group,' Australian officials said. 'The three men at Taree were charged with take part in supply prohibited drug - large commercial quantity and participate in criminal group.' All five of the suspects appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday where they were all formally refused bail and mandated to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on July 15, authorities said. 'The AFP and NSW Police Force have a long history of disrupting criminal networks attempting to import drugs that destroy our community. Combining our resources and expertise allows us to get successful outcomes like the one we are announcing today,' AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said. 'Australia's vast coastline is attractive to organised crime groups, who attempt to exploit this by trying to import drugs using boats. 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. NSW Police State Crime Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein said these arrests are testament to how rapidly our policing resources can coordinate and stop significant amounts of drug coming into NSW. 'Whether on land or sea, NSW Police have the investigative capability to disrupt and undermine criminal enterprise,' Weinstein said. "This seizure shows how our continuous monitoring of known organised crime methodologies with industry partners, can be actioned into a successful multi-agency operation with those involved immediately arrested to prevent illicit drugs entering NSW. Our ability to pivot and protect the community is evident in this week's actions. Make no mistake these drugs, if allowed to enter our communities, would have had devastating impacts on people's lives and social cohesion, particularly in regional townships.'
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- News.com.au
Five charged after tonne of cocaine found on NSW boat
Dramatic footage has been released showing the moment police raided a fishing boat off the NSW coast. Officers will allege they uncovered 1.1 tonnes of cocaine on-board the boat that was heading towards the port at South West Rocks at 9.40am on Friday. Police charged five men after intercepting a vessel off the NSW coast and seizing more than a tonne of cocaine, worth an estimated $623.4 million, in one of the state's biggest drug hauls. Organised Crime Squad detectives launched the investigation after receiving intelligence about a suspicious purchase of a 13m motor cruiser, with a large sum of cash in Sydney's Sutherland Shire on April 28. Police tracked the movements of the vessel and those allegedly involved, monitoring the group as they travelled north along the coast before heading back towards South West Rocks. On Friday morning, May 9, officers from the NSW Police Marine Area Command intercepted the vessel about 9.30am. Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on board and taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station. Police allege the vessel was carrying about 1110 blocks of cocaine, weighing 1.039 tonnes. The drugs represent more than a million individual hits, with testing underway to confirm the exact weight and purity. At the same time, three more men, aged 28, 29 and 35, were arrested onshore after investigators stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the South West Rocks area. They were taken to Taree Police Station. Strike Force investigators and the AFP also executed search warrants at homes in Beresfield, Edgeworth, Belmont North, Cardiff South, and Catherine Hill Bay. Officers seized electronic devices, documents, clothing, communication devices and cash. The two men arrested on the boat were charged with supplying a prohibited drug, large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group. The three men arrested onshore were charged with taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug, large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group. All five appeared in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, May 10, where they were refused bail. They are due to reappear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on July 15. NSW Police State Crime Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein, praised the co-ordinated police response, saying the arrests demonstrated how quickly officers could act to stop large quantities of drugs from reaching New South Wales. 'Whether on land or sea, NSW Police have the investigative capability to disrupt and undermine criminal enterprise,' Commissioner Weinstein said. He said the seizure was the result of ongoing monitoring of organised crime methods and effective collaboration with law enforcement partners. 'Make no mistake, these drugs, if allowed to enter our communities, would have had devastating impacts on people's lives and social cohesion, particularly in regional townships,' he said. 'The New South Wales Police Force is committed to protecting our citizens and are proud of the work being done to shut down and suppress organised crime and place those responsible before the courts.' AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said the success of the operation reflected the strong partnership between agencies and their ongoing mission to cripple criminal syndicates. 'The AFP and NSW Police Force have a long history of disrupting criminal networks attempting to import drugs that destroy our community,' Commissioner Dametto said. 'Combining our resources and expertise allows us to get successful outcomes like the one we are announcing today.' He said Australia's expansive coastline remained a key target for traffickers, but law enforcement agencies were continuing to strike back. '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,' he said. 'Importation of drugs via the sea is inherently dangerous, and criminals using this smuggling method risk both their freedom and their lives.' Investigations into the source of the cocaine and possible links to other organised crime groups are continuing.
West Australian
10-05-2025
- West Australian
Cocaine bust: Crime authorities raid boat and seize monster $623m drug haul off coast of NSW
Australian crime-fighting authorities have made one of the biggest drug busts in the nation's history after a boat off the coast of NSW was intercepted and police seized over $600m worth of cocaine. The incredible haul had to be seen to be believed as officers unloaded block upon block onto the dock of a Coffs Harbour marina. Police will allege the uncovered approximately 1,110 blocks of cocaine, weighing 1.039 tonnes inside the vessel. The amount of the seized cocaine equates to over a million individual hits according to police experts, with an estimated potential street value of $623.4 million. Organised Crime Squad detectives charged five people after obtaining intelligence in relation to the suspicious purchase of a 13m motor cruiser, with a large sum of cash, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire on Monday April 28. Investigators targeting drug supply and money laundering began a collaboration with the NSW Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police, to gather information on those involved. Officers monitored the group as they travelled north up the NSW coast and Friday, as the vessel travelled back to shore towards South West Rocks it was intercepted by the NSWPF Marine Area Command at around 9.30am. Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on board before being taken taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station. Police then swooped simultaneously on three men aged 28, 29 and 35 and they were arrested on shore after investigators stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the South West Rocks area, before they were taken to Taree Police Station for questioning. Forensic specialists are examining the seized drugs and will be conducting further testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs. Four search warrants were then executed at homes in the Newcastle suburbs of Beresfield and Edgeworth, Belmont North and Cardiff South, with police seizing electronic devices, documents and clothing. A further search warrant was executed by the AFP at a home at Catherine Hill Bay, where they seized communications devices and cash. NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein said the arrests are a testament to how rapidly policing resources can coordinate and stop significant amounts of drug coming into the country. 'Whether on land or sea, NSW Police have the investigative capability to disrupt and undermine criminal enterprise,' A/Assistant Commissioner Weinstein said. 'This seizure shows how our continuous monitoring of known organised crime methodologies with our law enforcement partners, can be actioned into a successful multi-agency operation with those involved immediately arrested to prevent illicit drugs entering NSW. 'Our ability to pivot and protect the community is evident in this week's actions. Make no mistake these drugs, if allowed to enter our communities, would have had devastating impacts on people's lives and social cohesion, particularly in regional townships. 'The NSW Police Force is committed to protecting our citizens and are proud of the work being done to shut down and suppress organised crime and place those responsible before the courts.' The two men at Coffs Harbour were charged with supplying a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group. The three men at Taree were also charged with taking part in supplying a prohibited drug in large commercial quantity and participating in criminal group. They all appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, where they were all formally refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday July 15. AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said Australian law enforcement agencies were committed to crippling and dismantling organised crime groups motivated by greed and indifferent to the devastation caused by their actions. 'The AFP and NSW Police Force have a long history of disrupting criminal networks attempting to import drugs that destroy our community. Combining our resources and expertise allows us to get successful outcomes like the one we are announcing today,' Assistant Commissioner Dametto said. 'Australia's vast coastline is attractive to organised crime groups, who attempt to exploit this by trying to import drugs using boats. 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. 'Importation of drugs via the sea is inherently dangerous, and criminals using this smuggling method risk both their freedom and their lives.'
Perth Now
10-05-2025
- Perth Now
Monster $623m cocaine boat bust off NSW coast
Australian crime-fighting authorities have made one of the biggest drug busts in the nation's history after a boat off the coast of NSW was intercepted and police seized over $600m worth of cocaine. The incredible haul had to be seen to be believed as officers unloaded block upon block onto the dock of a Coffs Harbour marina. Police will allege the uncovered approximately 1,110 blocks of cocaine, weighing 1.039 tonnes inside the vessel. The amount of the seized cocaine equates to over a million individual hits according to police experts, with an estimated potential street value of $623.4 million. Police have made a massive cocaine bust off the coast of NSW. Credit: NSW Police. Organised Crime Squad detectives charged five people after obtaining intelligence in relation to the suspicious purchase of a 13m motor cruiser, with a large sum of cash, in Sydney's Sutherland Shire on Monday April 28. Investigators targeting drug supply and money laundering began a collaboration with the NSW Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police, to gather information on those involved. Officers monitored the group as they travelled north up the NSW coast and Friday, as the vessel travelled back to shore towards South West Rocks it was intercepted by the NSWPF Marine Area Command at around 9.30am. Police have made a massive cocaine bust off the coast of NSW. Credit: NSW Police. Two men, aged 24 and 26, were arrested on board before being taken taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station. Police then swooped simultaneously on three men aged 28, 29 and 35 and they were arrested on shore after investigators stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the South West Rocks area, before they were taken to Taree Police Station for questioning. Forensic specialists are examining the seized drugs and will be conducting further testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs. Four search warrants were then executed at homes in the Newcastle suburbs of Beresfield and Edgeworth, Belmont North and Cardiff South, with police seizing electronic devices, documents and clothing. Police have made a massive cocaine bust off the coast of NSW. Credit: NSW Police. A further search warrant was executed by the AFP at a home at Catherine Hill Bay, where they seized communications devices and cash. NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein said the arrests are a testament to how rapidly policing resources can coordinate and stop significant amounts of drug coming into the country. 'Whether on land or sea, NSW Police have the investigative capability to disrupt and undermine criminal enterprise,' A/Assistant Commissioner Weinstein said. 'This seizure shows how our continuous monitoring of known organised crime methodologies with our law enforcement partners, can be actioned into a successful multi-agency operation with those involved immediately arrested to prevent illicit drugs entering NSW. 'Our ability to pivot and protect the community is evident in this week's actions. Make no mistake these drugs, if allowed to enter our communities, would have had devastating impacts on people's lives and social cohesion, particularly in regional townships. 'The NSW Police Force is committed to protecting our citizens and are proud of the work being done to shut down and suppress organised crime and place those responsible before the courts.' Police have made a massive cocaine bust off the coast of NSW. Credit: NSW Police. The two men at Coffs Harbour were charged with supplying a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group. The three men at Taree were also charged with taking part in supplying a prohibited drug in large commercial quantity and participating in criminal group. They all appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, where they were all formally refused bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday July 15. AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said Australian law enforcement agencies were committed to crippling and dismantling organised crime groups motivated by greed and indifferent to the devastation caused by their actions. 'The AFP and NSW Police Force have a long history of disrupting criminal networks attempting to import drugs that destroy our community. Combining our resources and expertise allows us to get successful outcomes like the one we are announcing today,' Assistant Commissioner Dametto said. 'Australia's vast coastline is attractive to organised crime groups, who attempt to exploit this by trying to import drugs using boats. 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. 'Importation of drugs via the sea is inherently dangerous, and criminals using this smuggling method risk both their freedom and their lives.'
