Australian and Chilean police dismantle cocaine smuggling network

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 02:02 · Archive

Australian and Chilean authorities arrested five people after intercepting 23kg of cocaine destined for Sydney.

Australian and Chilean police have dismantled an alleged drug-smuggling network spanning South America and Australia. Chilean authorities discovered a plot to smuggle 23kg of cocaine into Sydney on a commercial aircraft. After seizing the cocaine, estimated to be worth $17 million in Australia, they notified the Australian Federal Police.

AFP officers replaced the cocaine with a substitute and transported the packages to Port Botany car park near Kingsford Smith Airport on Tuesday. Two men, both aged 33, attended the car park and attempted to collect the packages. Officers arrested them immediately and charged them with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Search warrants at properties in Liverpool and Georges Hall in southwest Sydney uncovered approximately 5kg of MDMA, $8,000 in cash and 10kg of suspected drug-cutting agent. AFP investigators working in South America collaborated with Chilean police to execute further search warrants in Chile, resulting in the arrest of a Bolivian national and an Argentinian national, both charged with trafficking and criminal association offences.

Both Australian men appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday and were refused bail, with their case returning on 9 December. Chilean police noted the investigation identified methods of operation and financing through cryptocurrencies.

How it is being reported

• Arrests in Australia, Chile after cocaine switchAustralian and South American authorities have dismantled a network of drug-runners, after detectives netted two alleged smugglers in a port-side sting.Perth Now · 16 Oct, 01:35
• Arrests in Australia, Chile after cocaine switchAustralian and South American authorities have dismantled a network of drug-runners, after detectives netted two alleged smugglers in a port-side sting.The West Australian · 16 Oct, 01:35

In this story: Australian Federal Police · Chile · Sydney · Port Botany · Bolivia · Argentina

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