$1billion cocaine importation foiled by police – as they charge top Comanchero

More than a dozen people have been charged over an attempted multi-million dollar cocaine import into Australia, the largest in the country’s history.

Australian Federal Police have charged 11 men and two youths with conspiring to import 2.34 tonnes of cocaine into the country by sea.

It is alleged the men and crew of a ship attempted to import the drugs into Queensland, while several groups planned to collect the cocaine on land.

The men were arrested on Saturday following a joint effort between AFP and Queensland police investigating a transnational organized crime syndicate.

Police allege one of the men arrested was the vice-president of the Brisbane Comanchero outlaw motorcycle club.

“The investigation into the origins of the drugs remains ongoing and we will work with our international and domestic law enforcement partners to identify the criminal syndicates and anyone involved in facilitating these alleged drug imports,” AFP Commander Stephen Jay said.

“Let these arrests serve as a warning to the criminal syndicates attempting to bring illegal substances into our country, together we stand ready to act and disrupt your criminal activities, together with our law enforcement partners.”

The amount of cocaine allegedly imported weighs the same as that of a Ford Raptor.

Authorities had tracked the ship allegedly sent to retrieve the drugs from a mothership located hundreds off the coast of Queensland

The amount of cocaine allegedly imported weighs the same as that of a Ford Raptor

The street value is estimated at $760 million and could amount to 11.7 million street deals, the AFP said.

The police investigation began in November after information led authorities to a criminal syndicate linked to the Comanchero gang.

Federal and Queensland police, as well as Border Force, then tracked a recreational fishing boat last week where it encountered another vessel.

The recreational boat became stranded about 18 kilometers off the northeastern tip of K’Gari (Fraser Island) after a suspected mechanical failure, after which authorities began making arrests.

A search of the boat found 51 bales containing 40kg of white substance, packed in individual 1kg blocks, the AFP said.

All eleven men and two youths have been charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

But when the ship returned to the Queensland coast it suffered mechanical problems and broke down

Officers found 15 black and yellow waterproof bags containing 32 blocks of 1 kg each that tested positive for cocaine

All eleven men and two youths have been charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cross-border drugs

They will face the Maryborough, Bundaberg and Cleveland Magistrates Courts on Monday.

The drug bust comes after police seized more than $160 million worth of illegal substances in April.

Three men were charged by the AFP over the plot when 500kg of cocaine was seized at a boat ramp in central Queensland. Officers found 15 black and yellow waterproof bags containing 32 blocks of 1 kg each that tested positive for cocaine.

Australian Border Police and Federal Police seized more than 33.7 tonnes of illicit drugs and precursors in the past financial year.

This month, police carried out a targeted operation against the Comanchero gang and associates, leading to the arrest of 33 people.

The sting uncovered multiple weapons, a firearm, ammunition and significant amounts of cash, including about $100,000 hidden in the garden of a home in Wiley Park in Sydney’s south-west.

Police have seized illegally imported tobacco, including crates of Chinese cigarettes and vapes with an estimated value of more than $1.5 million.