Man charged over cocaine bricks washed up on New South Wales beaches

Speaking to the media from Brisbane on Thursday afternoon, Dep Spt Adrian Telfer, said the man’s arrest would be a “significant disruption” to Australia’s drug trade, including organised crime.

Telfer alleged that in November last year, the man coordinated the importation of 900kg of cocaine on an international ship into waters off the Brisbane coastline.

He alleged as early as March this year, the man conspired to import 450kg of drugs into Queensland via bulk carrier, with a further 565kg of cocaine identified as coming into a remote town in WA.

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Acting detective superintendent in the Queensland police service, Brad Phelps, said the arrest was a “significant victory” for law enforcement, pointing to a “united front” by multiple agencies.

Phelps said police allege the arrest also demonstrated a link between drugs, firearms and violence – including arson, robbery and “targeted attacks”.