Massive Cocaine Haul Off Queensland Coast Puts Drug Syndicate on the Radar

In a landmark operation, Australian authorities seized over 2.3 tonnes of cocaine from a malfunctioning boat off Queensland, arresting 13 individuals, including a Comanchero gang member. This unprecedented bust, part of a larger investigation, highlights ongoing drug trafficking issues in Australia.

In a remarkable operation on Monday, Australian authorities reported the seizure of 2.3 tonnes of cocaine from a fishing boat that had broken down off the Queensland coast, marking the largest cocaine bust in the country's history. The cocaine, with an estimated street value of A$760 million (approximately $490 million), could have led to 11.7 million street-level deals, potentially impacting communities across Australia.

The operation resulted in the arrest of 11 men and two juveniles, comprising the crew on the vessel and individuals who were poised to receive the shipment onshore. Among those taken into custody was a vice-president of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle club's Brisbane chapter, underscoring the gang's notorious involvement in drug-related violence, which has seen over 1,000 shootings since the 1980s.

This seizure was part of a broader investigation, identified as Operation Tyrrendor, which commenced last month after intelligence revealed that a criminal syndicate linked to the Comanchero gang was planning to import significant quantities of illegal drugs into Australia. The cocaine shipment is believed to have originated from an undisclosed South American country, coming shortly after reports of a Colombian navy interception of a semi-submersible vessel destined for Australia.

The AFP collaborated with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Australian Border Force (ABF) to track the fishing boat, which had been recently acquired by a 35-year-old man. The vessel was en route to deliver the cocaine from a larger mothership when it experienced mechanical failure around 18 kilometers from K'gari.

Upon interception, police located 51 bales, each containing 40 kg of cocaine, bringing the total weight of the seizure to 2.34 tonnes. Law enforcement detained two men directly on the boat, arrested two suspects awaiting the shipment on the coast, and carried out further arrests totaling 13 at various locations, including a nearby fast-food restaurant and through a traffic stop. All arrested individuals face conspiracy charges to import a substantial quantity of cocaine, each carrying a possible life sentence.