Detectives with the organised crime taskforce identified three men in the NSW Hunter Region who were allegedly acting suspiciously and had paid for two boats with cash.

Police say their actions appeared to be the same methods as “catching crews”, who are tasked with collecting large amounts of cocaine that are dropped at sea.

Yesterday morning, detectives arrested a 34-year-old man during a vehicle stop at Eleebana, near Lake Macquarie.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station and charged with conspiring to supply commercial quantities of drugs, recruiting others to the alleged job, and directing criminal activities.

About 8.20am, a 23-year-old man was arrested at an industrial site in Forster.

He was taken to Forster Police Station and charged with drug supply and participation in a criminal group.

A 24-year-old was also arrested at Salamander Bay about 11.20am.

He too was charged with drug supply and participation in a criminal group.

All three were refused bail and were expected to appear in Parramatta Local Court today.

Police also seized a fishing boat named Seas the Day in Lemon Tree Passage, which was taken to Nelson Bay for examination.

The three men stood to receive $3.4 million between them for their role in the scheme, police will allege.