Three men have been charged over a $224 million cocaine importation after allegedly boating out to pick up a 560-kilogram shipment dropped by a ship off the Western Australia coast.
The Queensland trio - aged 49, 32 and 29 - face life imprisonment after being charged following raids in both states on August 11.
"It will be alleged in court that the three men were responsible for purchasing a boat and collecting the cocaine after a bulk carrier vessel dropped it into the ocean off the coast of Western Australia," the Australian Federal Police said.Queensland properties linked to the men in Toogoolawah, Taigum and Redcliffe were also searched by police.
The joint operation involved the AFP, Australian Border Force , Western Australia Police Force, and Department of Home Affairs.Authorities said there were 1800 cocaine-related hospitalisations between 2020 and 2021, placing "significant pressure" on the healthcare system.
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