Federal authorities in Australia announced Monday they seized $79 million worth of cocaine from a luxury yacht that has been linked to a global crime syndicate. Four Spaniards were arrested in the raid.
Police had been tracking Friday Freedom since it sailed from Vanuatu to Australia on October 14. They seized the yacht Friday in a coastal town off of Queensland. At least 300 kilograms of cocaine was stashed in the hull. A 35-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman operating the yacht were arrested while two other men, ages 38 and 39, were arrested after trying to meet the boat in Bundaberg to pick up 100 kilograms of cocaine. At least $3 million in cash was seized in searches relating to the bust.
"It is believed to be the fifth largest cocaine seizure in Australian history," police said Monday."It is also the second significant cocaine seizure on a yacht in just over 12 months."
The four suspects appeared in court Monday to face drug importation charges, which carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. Justice Minister Brendan O'Connor said the Australian government will “not tolerate” organized crime.
"Australia's law enforcement agencies are skilled and well-resourced to protect us from the scourge that drug syndicates try to force upon our communities," O'Connor said. "This government will not tolerate our country becoming a target of drug syndicates and international organized crime."
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