About $290,000 in cash was thrown from the balcony of a Griffith apartment on July 20 after a police raid.
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The cash, allegedly the proceeds of crime, was quickly discarded by two men involved in transnational drug importation, AFP allege.
The men, aged 44 and 55 years, were arrested during the search.
These arrests come after a yacht sailed from Vanuatu to Townsville in April allegedly with 247 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the hull.
The cocaine has an estimated street value of $61.7 million, AFP detective superintendent Adrian Telfer said.
A "comprehensive search of the vessel in the water" found no evidence of criminal activity at the time, police said.
But AFP found the boat's hull had "anomalies" once out of the water.
The two men allegedly travelled from Canberra to Townsville in May attempting to recover the cocaine.
They're charged with importing commercial quantities of drugs and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
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Both men appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on July 21 and have been extradited to Queensland.
Investigations into the seized drugs are ongoing, police said.
Help is available:
- For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
- Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online at counsellingonline.org.au.
- For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to turningpoint.org.au.
Anna Houlahan
Anna Houlahan reports on crime and social issues affecting regional and remote Australia in her role as national crime reporter at Australian Community Media (ACM). She was ACM’s Trainee of the Year in 2023 and, aside from reporting on crime, has travelled the country as a journalist for Explore Travel Magazine. Reach out with news or updates to anna.houlahan@austcommunitymedia.com.au
