‘We are watching’: 200kg of cocaine on catamaran

A major plot to import drugs into Australia was foiled after 200kg of cocaine was found on a catamaran, authorities said.

A man has been charged after a large haul of drugs was discovered on board near the Queensland-NSW border as part of an investigation into a criminal organization with links to bikie gangs.

Police said the 41-year-old NSW man was on the catamaran that was stopped by a joint task force as it sailed down the Tweed River last week.

He was caught during an investigation into the bikie-linked syndicate’s alleged plan to transport cocaine into Australian waters and use local vessels to bring the drugs ashore.

Pictures released by the Australian Federal Police on Monday showed black duffel bags and $100,000 in cash on the catamaran, which they claimed was used to import drugs.

“International criminal organizations have made huge profits by feeding Australia’s demand for illicit drugs, but the AFP and our partners remain one step ahead,” AFP Detective Inspector Steven Wiggins said.

“Organized crime groups are driven solely by greed and have no regard for the harm they inflict on individuals, families and the wider Australian community.”

Police said investigations were ongoing to identify the ship and crew that brought the drugs into Australian waters and to identify other syndicate members.

The catamaran is alleged to have set out from the River Tweed on Tuesday and was heading north before its transponder was switched off.

Police said the ship collected the drugs at sea and returned to shore before reactivating the transmitter as it returned to the River Tweed two days later.

Police towed the catamaran to safety, where it was searched and examined.

The 41-year-old Tweed Heads man appeared in the NSW Bail Division Court on Friday charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

He was formally denied bail and was scheduled to appear in court again on 12 June.

Australian Border Force Superintendent Jim Ley said a message had been sent to organized crime.

“This amount of cocaine would have meant more addiction, more crime and more violence in our communities. Thanks to this operation, that harm has been stopped,” he said.

“Our message to organized crime is clear: we are watching, we are working together and we will stop anyone trying to bring illegal drugs into Australia.”

Officers from the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Queensland and NSW police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission took part in the joint operation.