The country’s "biggest cocaine interception," with a street value of approximately US$ 312 million, is a result of a multi-agency investigation, which spanned two-and-a-half years, the report said.
The yacht traveled from New Zealand to a "mothership" in the South Pacific Ocean last month to collect the drugs and bring them to Australia.
Last Thursday, Australia’s maritime security authority intercepted the vessel and detained the two crew members aboard: a New Zealand national and a Swiss-Fijian dual national.
The following day, another three men were arrested on the New South Wales South Coast and charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug. Police believe they were planning on meeting the yacht at sea before returning to Australia with the drugs.
A fourth man was arrested in Sydney for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy to import the cocaine, police said.
The six men, aged 32 to 66, face life imprisonment if found guilty.
