This is a joint release between Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and the Queensland Police Service.
The AFP has charged two men with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine as part of an investigation into 247kg of cocaine seized from a yacht moored in Townsville.
The men, both from Griffith in the ACT and aged 55 and 44, were arrested at their apartment on Thursday (20 July, 2023).
Police allege one of the men threw a backpack containing $290,000 cash in a vacuum sealed bag from the apartment balcony when the AFP knocked on the front door and announced they had a search warrant.
It will be alleged the cash is proceeds of crime.
It's alleged the men travelled to Townsville from Canberra in May to recover a commercial quantity of cocaine that was hidden inside the yacht's hull.
The yacht arrived in Townsville in April after sailing from Vanuatu. After a comprehensive search of the vessel in the water on arrival, officers still believed the vessel posed a threat and restricted the vessel to port for 90 days whilst investigations continued.
Once out of the water, Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Federal Police officers found minor anomalies with the vessels hull. Using a variety of mechanical tools, ABF and AFP officers removed 247kg of cocaine hidden in enclosed sections.
Investigations into the seized drugs are ongoing.
Both men appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Friday (21 July) before being extradited to Brisbane on Saturday (22 July).
The Griffith man, 55, is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today (24 July), charged with:
- Importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth);
- Dealing in the proceeds of crime etc. - money or property worth $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- Failing to comply with an order made under section 3LA(6) Crimes Act 1914 (Cth).
The other Griffith man, 44, is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today (24 July), charged with:
- Importing a commercial quantity of border controlled drug, contrary to section 307.1 of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth); and
- Dealing in the proceeds of crime etc. - money or property worth $100,000 or more, contrary to section 400.4(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
The maximum penalty for these offence is life imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the cocaine trade fuelled violence on Australian streets and increased the power of organised crime.
"Every time someone buys cocaine they are lining the pockets of organised crime gangs who are responsible for violence here in Australia and around the world," he said.
"This amount of cocaine has an estimated street value of $61,750,000.
"That's money which criminal groups would use to buy weapons, corrupt officials and governments overseas and turn the Pacific into an illicit drug superhighway."
"The AFP and our partners, through the Queensland Joint Organised Crime Task Force (QJOCTF) work to stop drugs, like cocaine, hitting our shores because illicit drugs contribute to the road toll, child neglect and domestic violence."
"The investigation remains ongoing and we do not rule out more arrests in the future."
ABF Commander James Copeman said this is yet another example of Australian Law Enforcement Agencies working closely together to protect the Australian community.
"It doesn't matter if it's a container laden with heroin, an envelope full of methamphetamine or a sailing vessel packed with cocaine, our officers have the skills, technology and inquisitive mindset to detect it."
Queensland Police Service Chief Superintendent Craig Morrow said, "Joint operations like these combine the resources and intelligence of each enforcement agency to detect, disrupt and deter the illegal drug trade in our country."
"Targeting the illegal drug trade by disrupting the supply and the distribution networks is a priority for all law enforcement agencies. The aim is to stop them from entering our community and causing untold damages to people and families."
The QJOCTF is a multi-agency taskforce comprised of members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police Service (QPS), Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Taxation Office (ATO), and Australian Transaction Reporting and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). The role of the QJOCTF is to investigate transnational serious and organised crime threats impacting Australia.
