The recovery of 365 kilograms of cocaine has prompted Australian authorities to launch a search for three men they rescued from the sea two weeks ago.
The three were found clinging to a ski cool box on the coast of Western Australia on February 1.
Police say they claimed they were out fishing when their boat capsized.
But now they allege the men were involved in an international drug bust and are urging them to turn themselves in.
Officials initially praised the trio when they were rescued near Eclipse Island, 17km south of Albany in WA, issuing a press release saying their case was “for wearing life jackets and carrying emergency beacons”. Highlighted the importance”.
But WA Police soon found inconsistencies in the trio’s story and contacted the Australian Federal Police (AFP) who launched an investigation.
Six days after the men were rescued, a black plastic-wrapped package containing parcels of cocaine was found on a beach 54 kilometers (33 mi) west of Albany.
And the next day an overturned cabin cruiser was discovered with eight similarly wrapped packages, each containing about 40 kilograms of cocaine.
Police believe the drugs were collected from the sea and were being brought ashore by boat. It is not known how these drugs were initially released into the sea.
Detectives are now asking the public to help them find Matt Stepinovich, 49, and Carl Whitburn, 45, from Perth, and Aristides Avlantis, 36, who are believed to be in the Northern Territory. .
Police say one of the WA men is the registered owner of the overturned boat.
AFP acting commander Graeme Marshall said the drug seizure would deal a “significant blow” to a “well-resourced syndicate”.
“AFP estimates that this seizure has saved the community more than $235 million in drug-related losses, including related crime, health care and lost productivity,” he said.
