Authorities seized more than 135kg of cocaine — with an estimated street value of more than $100 million, and 120,000 ecstasy tablets — all hidden inside a shipment of computer monitors from Canada.
The seizure represents Queensland's biggest drug haul, and the fifth largest in Australian history.
Five men were last night arrested at various locations across
Brisbane after allegedly attempting to access the computers at a
warehouse in Geebung in the city's north.
The alleged intended recipient of the drugs was arrested at Darling Point in Sydney.
All were charged with the importation of cocaine, which incurs a
maximum penalty of a $825,000 fine or life imprisonment.
Customs chief executive officer Michael Carmody said the container carrying 420 computer monitors was selected for X-ray inspection in Brisbane on September 8th.
Thirty-three of the monitors contained 136 sealed packs of
cocaine and 36 packs of ecstasy tablets.
It was the second major consignment of illegal drugs imported
from Canada to be intercepted in the last four months.
Drug syndicate smashed
Federal police agent Mike Phelan says authorities are confident they have closed down a significant international crime syndicate.
"The mere fact that we've got 135kg of cocaine ... is evidence of the fact that what we have is a very sophisticated syndicate here,” he told reporters in Brisbane.
"We are looking at purity just above 70 per cent which is pure import grade cocaine - so if we were to cut that say, twice, you're looking at a street value with $250 a gram, you're looking at a street value in excess of a $100 million."
Following the arrests AFP agents raided four Brisbane properties, as well as properties on the Gold Coast and in Sydney.
Mr Phelan said authorities were working closely with the Canadian police, and there was a possibility or further arrests in Canada.