Australian Authorities Seize Over 1 Ton Of Cocaine, Arrest 5 In Maritime Smuggling Case

Australian authorities have arrested five individuals and seized more than a ton of cocaine in a major maritime drug interception off the coast of Nambucca Heads.

The seizure was the result of a joint investigation by the New South Wales Police Forces Organized Crime Squad, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the NSW Crime Commission under Strike Force Blaine.

The investigation began following intelligence about the suspicious purchase of a 13-meter motor cruiser in Sydneys Sutherland Shire on April 28, paid for in cash. Detectives tracked the vessels movements as it traveled north along the coast, stopping in Nelson Bay and Port Macquarie before heading back south.

On Friday, May 9, the Marine Area Command intercepted the vessel about nine nautical miles offshore as it approached South West Rocks. Two men, ages 24 and 26, were arrested on board and transported to Coffs Harbour Police Station.

Police allege that approximately 1,110 blocks of cocaine, weighing approximately 1.15 tons, were discovered on the boat. Authorities estimate the drugs have a street value of over $623 million AUD, equating to more than a million individual doses.

At the same time, three additional men — ages 28, 29, and 35 — were arrested on shore after officers stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the area. These individuals were taken to Taree Police Station.

Subsequent search warrants were executed at properties in Newcastle suburbs including Beresfield, Edgeworth, Belmont North, and Cardiff South. Investigators seized electronic devices, documents, and clothing. The AFP also searched a home in Catherine Hill Bay, recovering communication devices and cash.

All five suspects have been charged with offenses related to the supply of a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs and participating in a criminal group. They appeared before Parramatta Bail Court on May 10, where bail was formally denied. They are scheduled to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on July 15.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said the operation demonstrated the strength of coordinated law enforcement.

“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,” he said.

“Australias vast coastline is attractive to organized 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 organized crime syndicates who wrongly believe they can operate with impunity,” he said.

NSW Police State Crime Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein, said the arrests highlighted the speed and scale of the police response.

“Whether on land or sea, NSW Police have the investigative capability to disrupt and undermine criminal enterprise,” he said.

“This seizure shows how our continuous monitoring of known organized 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,” Weinstein said. “Our ability to pivot and protect the community is evident in this weeks actions. Make no mistake these drugs, if allowed to enter our communities, would have had devastating impacts on peoples lives and social cohesion, particularly in regional townships.”

Investigations into the origin of the cocaine and the broader criminal network are ongoing.