The seizure took place on Tuesday this week in Coomera, Queensland, Australia.
The haul, which is the largest in Queensland’s history, was seized from the yacht Solay that a media release says departed Vanuatu bound for Australia on Saturday,August 15,2015.
Vanuatu Customs had been monitoring the yacht and provided information to the Australian authorities, including the number of people on board and the date it set sail for Australia.
Vanuatu Customs informed the Daily Post that they were aware of suspicions over the yacht while it was still within Vanuatu’s borders but agreed to assist the Australian authorities in order to expose those involved in the trafficking.
Customs further confirmed they had been monitoring the yacht since its arrival on August 1 this year.
According to the joint media release, the “operation forms part of Operation Cringle, a long-term, multi-agency venture targeting organised crime syndicates using yachts and similar vessels to ship cocaine to Australia through the South Pacific region.
“Australian authorities commenced the investigation, code-named Operation Lamister, earlier this month based on intelligence provided through the UK National Crime Agency (NCA).
“Information suggested a yacht, the Solay, was allegedly involved in transporting a substantial quantity of cocaine from South America into Australia.”
With assistance of QPS the ABF monitored the vessel on its journey to Australia up the date it arrived in Coomera area of the Gold Coast on Monday morning this week.
The media release stated that it will be alleged in court that upon arrival in a Coomera inlet, the 43-year-old Estonian master and sole occupant of the Solay met a 58-year-old United Kingdom national, and both men purchased a number of tools to remove items hidden inside the body of the vessel.
The Estonian master had allegedly left behind his female partner in Vanuatu before making the solo voyage to Queensland, says Vanuatu Customs sources.
At approximately 5.45pm Tuesday, the two men allegedly left the vessel with duffle bags and travelled by car to another Coomera location. A short time later, their car was then met by three other men driving in two vehicles.
AFP members arrested all five men and discovered approximately 40 kilograms of a substance believed to be cocaine inside one of the vehicles. A subsequent search of the yacht docked at the Coomera River marina located approximately 30 kilograms of a substance that presumptively tested positive to cocaine concealed within the yacht.
It is estimated this consignment would be worth approximately $17.5 million. AFP Commander Organised Crime David Stewart said law enforcement partners would continue to work together to disrupt the activities of organised crime groups.
“A united approach from law enforcement and border protection agencies – both in Australia and internationally is crucial in detecting and dismantling organised criminal networks,” Commander Stewart said.
“We believe this operation has disrupted and caused significant damage to a number of organised criminal enterprises that are seeking to profit from the high prices and demand for illegal narcotics in Australia.” ABF Commander South Pacific, Phil Brezzo, said the operation shows the importance of cooperation and shared intelligence across the South Pacific to target small craft vessels.
“The Australian Border Force is vigilant across the full spectrum of the border. We are agile and adept at identifying and disrupting attempts at illegal importation regardless of method: whether that involves airports, seaports, mail centres or anywhere in between,” Commander Brezzo said.
“While these drugs may sell for a hefty price on the streets, the price importers pay when they get caught can be up to life in prison. Ask yourself, is that really worth the risk?”
QLD Police Service Detective Superintendent Jon Wacker State Crime Command said:
“This Operation has resulted in a significant seizure of an illicit drug and the QPS will continue to work collaboratively with its law enforcement partners to prevent this type of drug having an impact on our community.”
A 43-year-old man and a 58-year-old man have been charged with: Importation of a commercial quantity of a Border Controlled Drug under Section 307.1 Criminal Code 1995
A 59-year-old man, 67-year-old man and 29-year- old man have been charged with: Attempt Possession of a commercial quantity of a unlawfully imported Border Controlled Drug under Section 307.5(1) Criminal Code 1995 and by virtue of Section 11.1 Criminal Code 1995.
The men appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Wednesday with respect to these charges and were remanded into custody. The maximum penalty for each offence is life imprisonment and/or an $825,000 fine.
According to Vanuatu Customs sources, the yacht’s last port of call before coming to Vanuatu was Savusavu, Fiji before it left for Vanuatu on 27 July.
The yacht which is alleged to have originated from somewhere in South America had been in Niue until July 3, then sailed to Fiji.
Source: http://www.dailypost.vu/
