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08-25-2015, 11:58 AM
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Queensland
Queensland Police make record $17 million cocaine bust
Date
August 25, 2015 - 2:51PM
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Huge cocaine bust at Coomera
Police seize 70 kilograms of cocaine from a yacht at Coomera in the largest cocaine haul in Queensland history.
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The seizure of 40 kilograms of cocaine in the Dreamworld car park and another 30kg from a yacht is the largest haul of the drug in Queensland's history, police say.
Five people were arrested on Monday night by a multi-agency operation that had been tracking the alleged international drug cartel in recent weeks.
It's alleged an Estonian skipper departed Vanuatu aboard the cocaine-packed vessel on August 15 en route to Queensland.
Queensland Police arrested five people during an alleged transaction to buy 40kg of cocaine. Photo: Supplied
Police say he docked nine days later in Coomera on the Gold Coast and met with a 58-year-old UK nationalbefore the pair bought tools and cracked open the concealed drug haul.
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They then allegedly met three Australian men in the Dreamworld car park, where police busted them with 40 kilograms of cocaine.
A further 30 kilograms was later found concealed in the yacht's cavities.
The UK and Estonian men facedrug importation charges and the three Australians possession of a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug.
"I believe it is the largest cocaine seizure we've had in Queensland," Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker said.
He said the cocaine was likely intended for a high-end clientele, given its purity level of more than 80 per cent.
The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $17 million, he said.
AFP Manager Organised Crime Commander David Stewart said the bust would be a "huge setback" for the international syndicate and likely curb the supply of cocaine throughout the east coast of Australia.
"Organised crime is actually a global enterprise," he said.
The five men were remanded in custody after appearing in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.
Investigations are ongoing.
AAP
Queensland
Queensland Police make record $17 million cocaine bust
Date
August 25, 2015 - 2:51PM
105 reading nowRead later
Tweetsubmit to redditEmail articlePrint
Huge cocaine bust at Coomera
Police seize 70 kilograms of cocaine from a yacht at Coomera in the largest cocaine haul in Queensland history.
Autoplay ONOFFVideo feedbackVideo settingsVideo will begin in 2 seconds.
Don't play
Play now
The seizure of 40 kilograms of cocaine in the Dreamworld car park and another 30kg from a yacht is the largest haul of the drug in Queensland's history, police say.
Five people were arrested on Monday night by a multi-agency operation that had been tracking the alleged international drug cartel in recent weeks.
It's alleged an Estonian skipper departed Vanuatu aboard the cocaine-packed vessel on August 15 en route to Queensland.
Queensland Police arrested five people during an alleged transaction to buy 40kg of cocaine. Photo: Supplied
Police say he docked nine days later in Coomera on the Gold Coast and met with a 58-year-old UK nationalbefore the pair bought tools and cracked open the concealed drug haul.
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They then allegedly met three Australian men in the Dreamworld car park, where police busted them with 40 kilograms of cocaine.
A further 30 kilograms was later found concealed in the yacht's cavities.
The UK and Estonian men facedrug importation charges and the three Australians possession of a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug.
"I believe it is the largest cocaine seizure we've had in Queensland," Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker said.
He said the cocaine was likely intended for a high-end clientele, given its purity level of more than 80 per cent.
The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $17 million, he said.
AFP Manager Organised Crime Commander David Stewart said the bust would be a "huge setback" for the international syndicate and likely curb the supply of cocaine throughout the east coast of Australia.
"Organised crime is actually a global enterprise," he said.
The five men were remanded in custody after appearing in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning.
Investigations are ongoing.
AAP