A man from New Wales and a German citizen suspected of links to organized crime have been accused of importing 320 kilograms of cocaine to Western Australia.
The men were arrested in Port Hedland on Sunday after investigators found drugs in 320 separate blocks in the van.
Police believe cocaine worth at least $ 128 million was destined for the WA and other states.
They claim a 37-year-old German citizen flew to Australia earlier this month to help extract drugs.
They said he met a 49-year-old man from New Wales in Port Hedland, and the couple went to Carratha, where they rented a 6.5-meter boat.
They drove him to Port Hedland and then lowered him off the local ramp and headed about 28 miles to the sea on Thursday and Friday nights.
Police say the couple used milkweed to collect cocaine from the ocean near the mining town of Pilbara.
The men’s boat was seen idling next to an international bulk carrier while offshore, and an investigation is ongoing into suspicions that the ship was used to deliver drugs into WA waters.
A tactical police response team boarded the bulk, the investigation is underway.
The two detainees were charged with importing a commercial quantity of a borderline drug, namely cocaine.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Australian Federal Police John Tanti said their arrests should send a strong signal to organized crime groups seeking to import drugs into Australia.
“Australia is not a safe haven for criminals. We are following you and we will not stop,” he said.
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/crime/two-charged-over-320kg-cocaine-bust-in-wa-c-6828805
