4 Pinoys arrested in biggest cocaine bust in S. Australia
CNN Philippines — Four Filipino seafarers are facing charges after Australian authorities seized 416 kilograms of cocaine traced back to their ship. The alleged cocaine importation is the largest ever detected in South Australia, the Australian government said.
“The four men, aged between 29 and 44, have been charged with importation of a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs namely cocaine, contrary to section 307 (1) of the Criminal Code 1995,” said the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force (ABF), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, South Australia Police and the Department of Home Affairs in a joint statement dated March 31.
If convicted, the Filipinos could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, the authorities added.
The Australian Border Force said officers first searched a bulk carrier merchant vessel in Port Adelaide on March 17 and found evidence that it may have been involved in a drop off of drugs at sea.
“After working tirelessly for four days, ABF officers found about 400kg of cocaine a substantial distance off the coast and towed the drugs to shore,” said ABF Acting Chief Superintendent Alex Kelsall. “We’re proud to say this represents the largest border controlled drug detection in South Australia’s history.”
