High seas drama: raid nets 460kg of cocaine

Police and customs officials have netted more than 460 kilograms of cocaine after raiding a yacht docked north of Brisbane.
The seizure is the third largest of the drug in Australia’s history and has an estimated street value of $160 million, according to the Australian Federal Police.
Police and Australian Customs officers uncovered the drugs on Tuesday at Scarborough Marina after acting on a tip-off from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Yacht drug raid

Authorities have seized drugs worth an estimated $160 million. Photo: Australian Federal Police

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Two men from New South Wales appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday charged with attempting to import a commercial quantity of drugs.
A third man, also from New South Wales, faced court charged with attempted possession of drugs.
Simon Charles Golding, 41, Geoffrey Stuart Triplett, 38, both of Waterloo, and Terrance Elfar, 49, from Eden, did not apply for bail and have been remanded in custody to appear in court on November 5.
Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Andrew Colvin said the alleged smugglers may have previously brought drugs into the country.
‘‘This was a very sophisticated operation, they knew what they were doing,’’ he said. "They were very confident and they had good equipment.’’
The cocaine was allegedly transported from South America on a catamaran police have called the "mother vessel".
It was then transferred to a 40-foot luxury yacht 800 kilometres off the Queensland coast.
Customs and Border Protection managed to track the catamaran and it is being towed to Queensland for further investigation.
Officers yesterday detained two men, believed to be from Costa Rica and Germany, who were on board the vessel.
Customs and Border Protection Deputy CEO Marion Grant said officers endured 13-metre seas to capture the catamaran.
“Their dedication should come as a strong warning to potential importers," she said. "No matter the weather, the location or the plan – we are committed to keeping these harmful drugs out of the Australian community.
Federal police also searched 12 properties in New South Wales and Queensland, uncovering a clandestine lab in Eden, near the Victorian border.
Police described the haul as a "major strike" against organised crime.
It is not yet known where in South America the drugs were manufactured.