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Australian Federal Police say the 2.3-tonne vehicle seized has a street value of $494 million.
Australian police have arrested 13 people in what authorities have described as the biggest cocaine bust in the country’s history.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said on Monday they had charged 11 men and two juveniles after tracking a fishing boat that allegedly went to meet a cocaine-laden mother ship off the coast of Queensland.
After the boat broke down 18 kilometers (10 nautical miles) from shore, police made several arrests and seized 2.3 tons of cocaine, with a street value of A$760 million ($494 million), AFP said.
The arrests came after a months-long investigation sparked by information that a biker gang was planning to smuggle drugs into the country, said AFP Commander Stephen Jay.
“We know that criminals go to great lengths, and often risk their lives, to bring drugs into Australia, regardless of the damage they do to Australian communities,” Jay said.
“This alleged attempt to collect more than two tons of cocaine from the ocean shows that criminals will do anything to achieve their greed and profit. Everyone involved in these maritime trading enterprises is not only risking their freedom, they are also risking their lives.
The arrested individuals, each charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, are expected to appear in court on Monday.
If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
In 2023-2024, Australian police seized 31.3 tons of illegal drugs and helped international authorities seize 41.8 tons of drugs, reports AFP.
