Five arrested, over a ton of cocaine worth $400M seized off Australia coast

Five arrested after over a ton of cocaine seized from boat off coast

Five people have been charged after police seized over a ton of cocaine worth millions from a boat off the coast of Nambucca Heads, New South Wales, on Friday, May 9. (Credit: NSW Police/Australian Federal Police via Storyful)

Authorities arrested five people after seizing more than a ton of cocaine worth millions from a boat off the coast of Nambucca Heads, New South Wales, on May 9.

The backstory:

New South Wales (NSW) Police said they were alerted following the "suspicious" purchase of a 13-meter motor cruiser that was paid for with cash in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire on April 28.

NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police then investigated those involved in the purchase of the vessel. Authorities then monitored the boat heading toward South West Rocks on the New South Wales mid-north coast.

Authorities then intercepted the vessel with the help of a marine unit near Nambucca Heads.

Police located approximately 1,110 blocks of cocaine, weighing 1.039 tonnes, onboard the vessel, with an estimated potential street value of $400.5 million USD.

Dig deeper:

Two men were arrested on the boat while another three men were taken into custody after officers stopped two vehicles that tried to leave the area.

All five men appeared in court and were formally refused bail, police said.