Police in Australia successfully finished one of its biggest operation resulted in the seizure of 1.100 kg of cocaine. It is the largest cocaine bust in the Australian law enforcement history.
on Christmas Day, the Australian police reported on the seizure 500kg of cocaine from a boat in Brooklyn, north of Sydney. Another part of drugs – 600kg – was confiscated in Tahiti, both parties to have originated in South America and destined for Australia, the police suggest.
The confiscated cocaine has a street value of A$360m (£212m; $258m), the two-year police investigation was successfully finished, 15 persons aged between 29 and 63 have been charged after police said they made the biggest cocaine bust in Australia’s history. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Chris Sheehan, Australian Federal Police acting assistant commissioner, told journalists:
‘The size of that seizure collectively makes it the largest cocaine seizure in Australian law enforcement history. The criminal syndicate we have dismantled over the last few days was a robust, resilient and determined syndicate.”
Police operation and its results
In early December, police and border officials began monitoring a vessel that was travelling between Sydney’s popular fish markets and the central coast of New South Wales.
On Christmas night, police said a small boat was launched from the vessel and later docked in Brooklyn. Authorities swooped on the boat and arrested three men. Another 12 men have been arrested over the past several days.
“This job started with a thread of information that was given to the New South Wales drugs squad over two-and-a-half years ago. I want to thank the community for that information,”
New South Wales Police assistant commissioner Mark Jenkins said.
