Pubdate: Tue, 01 Feb 2000
Source: Australian Associated Press (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 Australian Associated Press

SIX ARRESTED AS POLICE NET $100M IN COCAINE IN YACHT

Australia's largest cocaine haul, believed to be worth more than $100
million, was seized by police and customs officers from a yacht on the New
South Wales central coast today.

Six men were arrested in the raid at Patonga, south of Gosford, early this
morning, an Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokeswoman said.

Federal Customs Minister Amanda Vanstone confirmed the haul was expected to
yield twice the 225 kilograms snared off Coffs Harbour, on the state's
mid-north coast, in December 1998.

On that occasion, $50 million worth of cocaine was discovered in the lining
of a fibreglass runabout attached to a yacht.

Senior AFP agents were scheduled to reveal details of today's seizure
around 3pm (AEDT), the AFP spokeswoman said.

Several of the arrested men were expected to appear in Sydney's Central
Local Court this afternoon, she said.

Meanwhile, the 14 metre vessel was being towed back to Sydney.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D