Police say Organised Crime Squad detectives have charged five men after the seizure of more than a tonne of cocaine found on board a vessel off the NSW coast.
Police say they obtained intelligence in relation to the suspicious purchase, with a large sum of cash, of a thirteen-metre motor cruiser in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire on Monday 28 April.
The State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad started investigating under Strike Force Blaine, targeting drug supply and money laundering.
Investigators collaborated with the NSW Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police (AFP), leading to a focus on the movements of the vessel and persons associated with the accused group as they travelled north up the NSW coast.
The Police Marine Area Command intercepted the vessel as it was travelling back to shore towards South West Rocks about 9.30 am Friday 9 May.
Officers say they found more than 1,100 blocks of cocaine on the vessel, weighing more than a tonne, representing more than a million individual hits, and worth more than $623 million on the streets.
Five men to face court
Officers arrested two men on board, aged 24 and 26, and escorted them to shore where they were taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station.
They’re charged with supplying a prohibited drug in a large commercial quantity and participating in a criminal group.
Forensic specialists are examining the seized drugs and will be conducting further testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs.
Officers say they also arrested another three men aged 28, 29 and 35 on shore after stopping two vehicles trying to leave the South West Rocks area.
Another four search warrants carried out with the AFP at homes in Newcastle suburbs and Catherine Hill Bay are said to have led to the seizure of communications devices, cash and clothing.
All five arrested men have been refused bail and are to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on 15 July on charges related to supplying a prohibited drug.
Police say investigations into the origin of the drugs and the group’s alleged associates are ongoing.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
