Two men have been charged after a yacht suspected to be carrying hundreds of kilograms of methylamphetamine was intercepted off the NSW coast near Lake Macquarie.
The arrests follow a multi-agency investigation known as Operation ROMANI, comprising the Australian Federal Police (AFP), New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) and Australian Border Force (ABF), collaborating with agencies from the United Kingdom and New Caledonia.
It will be alleged investigators located more than 1000 packages wrapped in plastic on board the vessel. Specialist forensic officers are continuing to deconstruct the boat and examine the contents, which is believed to contain methamphetamine.
Further forensic testing will be undertaken to determine the exact weight and purity of the seized substances.
The men were taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs.
They were both refused bail to appear before Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 19 April 2020).
The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
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