Authorities reported that a catamaran set sail from the Tweed River on April 14, initially heading north before its transponder was mysteriously deactivated.

According to police allegations, the vessel rendezvoused at sea to collect a shipment of drugs, subsequently heading back toward the coast. The transponder was reactivated as it approached the Tweed River.

On April 16, the catamaran was intercepted by operatives from the New South Wales Police Force’s Marine Area Command as it entered the Tweed River, just shy of the Queensland border.

Following the interception, the catamaran was towed to a secure site, where it underwent an extensive search and examination by specialist forensic teams.

Authorities are alleging that approximately 200 kilograms of cocaine were concealed in black duffel bags aboard the vessel, alongside $100,000 in cash.

This discovery was part of an ongoing investigation into what police describe as an elaborate international scheme orchestrated by a biker syndicate to smuggle cocaine into Australian waters. The plan allegedly involved using smaller boats to transport the drugs ashore.

Australian Border Force Superintendent Jim Ley warned would-be criminals that border and law enforcement agencies were working together to protect the community.

“This amount of cocaine would have meant more addiction, more crime, and more violence in our communities.,” Ley said.

“Our message to organised crime is clear: we are watching, we are working together, and we will stop anyone who tries to bring illicit drugs into Australia.”

The discovery triggered investigators to execute multiple search warrants across southeast Queensland and northern NSW. 

Police are not ruling out further arrests as they work to determine who else was involved in importing the drugs.

A Tweed Heads man, 41, was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.

He was faced the NSW Bail Division Court on April 17, where he was formally refused bail and remanded to appear before the same court on June 12.

If found guilty, the man could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

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