A 200kg cocaine haul found onboard a catamaran sailing from Queensland to NSW has resulted in a NSW man facing court.
The Australian Border Face says a Tweed Heads man, 41, faced NSW Bail Division Court on Friday (April 17) charged with importing a large quantity of illegal drugs.
He was refused bail and is due to reappear in court on June 12.
Police were investigating a global plot by a syndicate with links to bikie gangs to bring the cocaine into Australian waters and transfer it to local vessels.
The multi-agency Gold Coast Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (GC JOCTF) intercepted a catamaran sailing into the Tweed River, just south of the Queensland border, on Thursday (April 16), the ABF will tell the court.
The catamaran sailed north from the Tweed River on Tuesday (April 14) and its transponder was turned off.
COCAINE SHIPMENT
The ABF alleges that the catamaran collected the drugs at sea then sailed back towards the coast, turning its transponder back on, as it returned to the Tweed River.
NSW Police marine officers from Tweed Heads intercepted the vessel in the river and towed it to a secure location, where it was examined by forensic officers.
Police will tell the court that about 200kg of cocaine hidden inside black duffel bags and $100,000 in cash was found onboard the catamaran.
Taskforce and NSW Police investigators then raided multiple premises across southeast Queensland and northern NSW.
Investigations are ongoing and more arrests have not been ruled out, the ABF says.
BORDER WARNING
Australian Federal Police Detective Inspector Steven Wiggins said the successful operation is a clear sign of the collective ability of Australian law enforcement to disrupt drug import plots.
“Transnational criminal syndicates have reaped huge profits by feeding Australia’s demand for illicit drugs; however, the AFP and our partners are always watching and remain one step ahead,” he says.
“The AFP’s strong relationships with domestic and international partners ensure that we continue to deliver maximum impact on transnational criminal syndicates targeting Australia.”
Anyone with information which may assist GC JOCTF investigators with their ongoing inquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Information about suspicious activity which may impact the security of Australia’s borders should contact Border Watch.
OTHER COURT NEWS: Ship’s crew charged over cocaine shipment
