In an unprecedented operation, Australian Federal Police seized 2.3 tonnes of cocaine from a broken fishing vessel off Queensland's coast. This operation, linked to the Comanchero gang, has resulted in the arrest of eleven individuals and is the largest cocaine bust in Australia's history.
Massive Cocaine Seizure in Queensland Marks Major Criminal Take Down
Massive Cocaine Seizure in Queensland Marks Major Criminal Take Down
Australian authorities have seized a record amount of cocaine valued at over $490 million from a malfunctioning fishing boat, leading to multiple arrests and highlighting ongoing issues with organized crime.
Australian authorities have made a historic drug bust after seizing 2.3 tonnes of cocaine valued at approximately A$760 million ($490 million; £388 million) from a distressed fishing boat off Queensland's coast. The seizure is touted as the most significant cocaine capture in Australia, reflecting the persistent challenges posed by organized crime groups in the region.
On Saturday evening, officials from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) apprehended eleven men and two juveniles, including crew members of the vessel and individuals who were reportedly poised to receive the smuggled drugs on shore. Among those arrested, one individual is alleged to be a vice-president of the Brisbane chapter of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle club, a group with a long history of involvement in drug trafficking and associated violent crime.
This operation forms part of a broader inquiry into the Comanchero gang, designated Operation Tyrrendor, initiated just a month prior following intelligence that indicated plans to import illegal substances into Australia. The cocaine is believed to have originated from an unidentified South American nation, further underscoring the international dimensions of the drug trade.
The AFP collaborated with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) to keep track of suspicious activity involving a recently acquired fishing boat by a 35-year-old man. During its journey to transport cocaine from a mothership to the Australian coast, the fishing vessel encountered engine failure while about 18 kilometers from the northern tip of K'gari.
Upon the vessel's interception, authorities discovered 51 bales secured with netting, each containing 40kg of cocaine, summing up to 2.34 tonnes. The arrest operation extended beyond the boat, with two individuals detained onshore, three more at a fast-food establishment nearby, and additional arrests during a traffic stop. The operation culminated in a search warrant execution in Brisbane.
All detainees are facing serious charges of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of cocaine, which is punishable by up to life imprisonment. As this buildup marks a significant moment in the fight against organized crime, it emphasizes the ongoing struggle Australian law enforcement faces to combat the rampant illicit drug trade.
