Wellington: Australian police raided a suspect’s damaged boat off the Queensland coast and seized about 2.3 tonnes of cocaine. Police also arrested 13 people in the case. Officials provided information about the incident on Monday. Police said in a statement the drugs had a street value of $760 million. Investigators told reporters in Brisbane the drugs were being shipped from an undisclosed South American country.
The police have received information
Australian Police Commander Stephen Jay said information had been received about a smuggling conspiracy by the Comancheros motorcycle gang. The arrests were made on Saturday and Sunday following a month-long investigation. Jay said smugglers twice tried to smuggle drugs into Australia by boat, but their first boat was damaged and the second sank on Saturday, leaving the suspects stranded at sea for several hours.
Largest consignment caught
Police raid fishing boats and seize drugs. Jay said the main ship was in international waters and could not be captured. Jay said more than a tonne of cocaine had been seized before, but the weekend’s haul was the largest ever seized in Australia. Those booked have been charged with conspiring to import drugs into Australia by sea and will appear in various courts on Monday.
How many penalties are there?
Police said that in addition to those on the boat, people waiting on shore to pick up the cocaine were also arrested. Two of them are under 18 years old and both are Australian citizens. The case provides for a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. (Associated Press)
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