Drug smuggling

Alleged drug-smuggling syndicate smashed as cocaine found in yacht

A cocaine-filled yacht was intercepted at Lake Macquarie yesterday after an joint operation involving the NSW Police Force State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad, Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

During the operation, a 68-year-old man was arrested on board the vessel at Toronto, a 47-year-old man was arrested at a hotel at Warners Bay, and a 63-year-old man was arrested at a home at Islington.

In addition, multiple search warrants were executed across the Lake Macquarie area with the assistance of Strike Force Raptor, and further warrants were executed by AFP in Western Australia and Thailand.

In August, investigators commenced a joint investigation into the importation of cocaine by private vessels.