500kg of cocaine on Lake Macquarie catamaran

The Australian and NSW Police have bused an alleged drug smuggling syndicate after another cocaine-filled catamaran was intercepted today (Thursday November 16) on Lake Macquarie during multi-agency investigation.

The Catana 42, a high-speed performance sailing catamaran, had been under covert police investigation for some time. But with an extra 500kg of drug ballast aboard, it would have been slowed up a bit.

It's thought the police will have to dismantle the 42-footer to get to all the drugs stashed away so completely. These aren't cheap boats, with a 2004-model 47-footer listed for sale for $549k on our sites.

Three men have now been charged after the cocaine-filled cat was intercepted in a multi-agency investigation into international drug trafficking by sea.

In August, investigators from the NSW Police Force State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad, Australian Federal Police, and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission commenced a joint investigation into the importation of cocaine by private vessels.

The investigation has also been assisted by the Australian Border Force. There was a call to the public to help identify suspicious activity as we reported when Police asked boaters to help spot criminal behaviour.

As a result of inquiries, a coordinated joint resolution operation was commenced in the Lake Macquarie area yesterday (Wednesday November 15, 2017).

Investigators intercepted a yacht at Toronto and located at least half a tonne of cocaine concealed within the hull.

Three men were arrested and charged over the alleged importation. They were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court.

Read more about boats and drugs.