Two men accused of smuggling drugs worth $61 million have been identified after police seized nearly 250kg of cocaine hidden in the hull of a yacht.
Rachid Kachour, 55, and Matthew Anthony Rees, 44, were arrested on July 20 at their apartment in Griffith, Australia’s Capital Region, after 247kg of cocaine was seized from a yacht in Townsville.
Kachaur and Rees were extradited to Brisbane over the weekend and did not appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court when their case was briefly mentioned on Monday.
The pair, charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and the proceeds of crime valued at more than $100,000, made no application for bail.
It is alleged the men traveled from Canberra to Townsville in May to retrieve cocaine from inside the yacht’s hull.
The yacht (pictured) sailed from Vanuatu to Townsville in May and was confined to port for 90 days after officers believed the vessel posed a ‘threat’.
Australian Border Force officers searched the yacht while it was still in the water after it sailed from Vanuatu in April.
Officials believe the yacht poses a ‘threat’ and have been restricted to port for 90 days while they begin an investigation into the vessel.
Once out of the water, Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police officers discovered ‘minor anomalies’ with the yacht’s hull and removed 247kg of cocaine hidden in an enclosed area of ​​the hull.
Police allege a backpack containing $290,000 in cash in a vacuum-sealed bag was thrown from the apartment’s balcony by a man after officers knocked on the front door and announced they had a search warrant.
Investigators will allege the cash is the proceeds of crime.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the cocaine trade fueled organized crime and turned the Pacific into an ‘illegal drug superhighway’.
‘Every time someone buys cocaine they are lining the pockets of organized crime gangs who are responsible for violence here in Australia and around the world,’ Supt Telfer said.
‘This amount of cocaine has an estimated street value of $61,750,000. This is the money that criminal groups will use to buy weapons, corrupt officials and governments overseas and turn the Pacific into an illegal drug superhighway.’
‘AFP and our partners … are working to stop drugs, like cocaine, hitting our shores because illegal drugs contribute to street harm, child neglect and domestic violence.’
Australian Border Force and Australian Federal Police officers have discovered cocaine hidden in an enclosure in Hull (pictured)
Police seize 247kg of cocaine (pictured) and arrest two men in Griffith, Australia’s capital region, on charges of importing the controlled drug across the border
The investigation of the seized drugs is ongoing, the police are not ruling out the possibility of future arrests.
ABF Commander James Koopman said the bust was another example of Australian law enforcement agencies working together to protect communities.
“Whether it’s a container full of heroin, an envelope full of methamphetamine or a sailing ship full of cocaine, our officers have the skills, technology and investigative mindset to detect it,” Mr Koopman said.
Queensland Police Service Chief Superintendent Craig Morrow said disrupting and preventing the illegal drug trade in Australia was a top priority.
‘Targeting the illicit drug trade by disrupting supply and distribution networks is a priority for all law enforcement agencies,’ Supt Morrow said.
‘The aim is to prevent them from entering our communities and causing untold harm to people and families.’
Rachid Kachaur, 55, and Matthew Anthony Rees, 44, were arrested at their apartment in Griffiths and extradited to Brisbane to face court. (Pictured, one of the men, center, arrested)
Both Kachaur and Rees face a maximum sentence of life in prison for the crimes they are charged with.
Kachour is charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, possession of proceeds or property of crime – valued at $100,000 or more – and failure to comply with an order.
Rees is charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and dealing in proceeds of crime – money or property valued at $100,000 or more.
The couple were remanded in custody, with Kachaur’s case adjourned until Tuesday when he sought legal counsel and Rees to appear in court on September 1.