Five men have been arrested after more than a tonne of cocaine has been seized from a fishing boat off the Mid North Coast of NSW.
Detectives stalked the 13metre powerboat offshore for six days before boarding the vessel and cuffing its crew off the coast at Nambucca Heads at 9.40am on Friday.
On the vessel, police allegedly found 1.1 tonnes of cocaine – worth an estimated $623.4million – as it headed toward South West Rocks.
The enormous haul had been divided into 1,036 bricks and stashed throughout the boat.
Police arrested two men in their 20s on board the boat, one in a purple and black wetsuit, the other in a hoodie and shorts, drenched in water.
Cooper Hollingworth, 24, and Jacob Malcolm, 26, from Newcastle’s southern suburbs were charged with large commercial drug supply.
Police allege the men served as ‘catching crew’ for the alleged drug import operation.
Three other men – alleged ‘onshore coordinators’ – were also arrested on shore after investigators stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the South West Rocks area.
Chaiwat Thipsing, 28, Luke Hazell, 28 and Rodney James Hill, 35, were charged with knowingly taking part in the commercial supply of cocaine.
NSW Police officers began monitoring the men following the ‘suspicious’ purchase of the 13metre motor cruiser.
One of the men allegedly bought the boat in cash from a yacht dealer in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire on April 28.
Strike Force investigators took over the case and brought in the aid of the n Federal Police (AFP), gathering intelligence on the group.
AFP officers watched the boat as it travelled north along the NSW coastline.
When the vessel made for the shores of South West Rocks, water police cut into its path and escorted the two men from the boat.
Forensic specialists are examining the seized drugs and will be conducting further testing to determine the exact weight and purity of the drugs.
Strike Force investigators – assisted by the AFP – also executed four search warrants at homes in Newcastle, seizing electronic devices, documents and clothing.
A further search warrant was executed by the AFP at a home at Catherine Hill Bay, where they seized communications devices and cash.
The men appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, where they were all formally refused bail.
They will next appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday 15 July 2025.
Investigations into the origin of the drugs and the groups alleged associates remain ongoing.
NSW Police State Crime Commander, Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein said a concerted effort from law enforcement agencies had saved millions in drugs from entering the nation.
‘Whether on land or sea, NSW Police have the investigative capability to disrupt and undermine criminal enterprise,’ Ast Com Weinstein said.
‘Our ability to pivot and protect the community is evident in this week’s actions.
‘Make no mistake, these drugs, if allowed to enter our communities, would have had devastating impacts on people’s lives and social cohesion, particularly in regional townships.’
”s vast coastline is attractive to organised crime groups, who attempt to exploit this by trying to import drugs using boats.
‘The bad news for them is the AFP will continue to work together with our partners to target organised crime syndicates who wrongly believe they can operate with impunity.
‘Importation of drugs via the sea is inherently dangerous, and criminals using this smuggling method risk both their freedom and their lives.’