### Eleven arrests were made in connection with what is now Australia's largest cocaine operation, linked to notorious gang activity.
### Major Cocaine Bust: Australian Police Seize Historic 2.3 Tonnes from Stranded Vessel
### Major Cocaine Bust: Australian Police Seize Historic 2.3 Tonnes from Stranded Vessel
### A record cocaine seizure valued at $500 million underscores the ongoing battle against drug syndicates in Australia.
In a significant drug enforcement operation, Australian police have made a historic seizure of 2.3 tonnes of cocaine, estimated at a staggering A$760 million ($490 million; £388 million) in street value, from a broken-down boat near Queensland. This groundbreaking bust marks the largest cocaine seizure in the country’s history, capable of being divided into 11.7 million separate street deals.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) reported that Saturday's operation led to the arrest of eleven men and two juveniles, including the crew of the malfunctioning vessel and individuals waiting on shore for the illicit cargo. Among those arrested is a man identified as the vice-president of the Brisbane chapter of the Comanchero motorcycle gang, a group infamous for their violent involvement in the drug trade.
The operation, known as Operation Tyrrendor, has been ongoing since last month and was initiated following intelligence indicating a criminal syndicate, with ties to the Comanchero gang, was preparing to smuggle drugs into Australia. Additionally, this event coincided with a recent Colombian navy interception of another semi-submersible vessel carrying cocaine bound for Australian markets.
Authorities believe the cocaine shipment originated from an undisclosed South American country. The AFP, collaborating with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Australian Border Force (ABF), tracked a recently bought fishing boat belonging to a 35-year-old man. During its operation to deliver the cocaine from a larger mothership to the coast, the vessel encountered mechanical issues approximately 18 kilometers from K'gari, leading to its interception by law enforcement.
Upon boarding the distressed vessel, police discovered 51 bales, each weighing 40 kilograms, resulting in a total haul of 2.34 tonnes of cocaine. Arrests were made both on the vessel and on shore, including two additional apprehensions at a nearby fast-food restaurant and several at a traffic stop. Following the execution of a search warrant, a final suspect was taken into custody in Brisbane.
All arrested individuals are facing charges of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine, which is punishable by a potential life sentence. This major operation underscores the continuous effort by Australian authorities to combat drug trafficking and associated gang violence.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) reported that Saturday's operation led to the arrest of eleven men and two juveniles, including the crew of the malfunctioning vessel and individuals waiting on shore for the illicit cargo. Among those arrested is a man identified as the vice-president of the Brisbane chapter of the Comanchero motorcycle gang, a group infamous for their violent involvement in the drug trade.
The operation, known as Operation Tyrrendor, has been ongoing since last month and was initiated following intelligence indicating a criminal syndicate, with ties to the Comanchero gang, was preparing to smuggle drugs into Australia. Additionally, this event coincided with a recent Colombian navy interception of another semi-submersible vessel carrying cocaine bound for Australian markets.
Authorities believe the cocaine shipment originated from an undisclosed South American country. The AFP, collaborating with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Australian Border Force (ABF), tracked a recently bought fishing boat belonging to a 35-year-old man. During its operation to deliver the cocaine from a larger mothership to the coast, the vessel encountered mechanical issues approximately 18 kilometers from K'gari, leading to its interception by law enforcement.
Upon boarding the distressed vessel, police discovered 51 bales, each weighing 40 kilograms, resulting in a total haul of 2.34 tonnes of cocaine. Arrests were made both on the vessel and on shore, including two additional apprehensions at a nearby fast-food restaurant and several at a traffic stop. Following the execution of a search warrant, a final suspect was taken into custody in Brisbane.
All arrested individuals are facing charges of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine, which is punishable by a potential life sentence. This major operation underscores the continuous effort by Australian authorities to combat drug trafficking and associated gang violence.
