The discovery of 365 kilogrammes of cocaine has prompted authorities in Australia to begin searching for three individuals they rescued from the water two weeks ago.
The three individuals were discovered on February 1 clinging to an esky cold box that was floating off the coast of Western Australia.
They stated that they were out fishing when their boat capsized, according to the police.
But they are now accusing the guys of being involved in the shipment of drugs across international borders, and they are pushing the individuals to turn themselves in.
When the three individuals were initially rescued near Eclipse Island, which is located 17 kilometres south of Albany in the state of Washington, the authorities praised them and issued a press release saying that their case “highlighted the importance of wearing a lifejacket and carrying an emergency beacon.”
But the Western Australian police quickly discovered holes in the trio’s account, so they called the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who opened an investigation into the matter.
On the beach located 54 kilometres (33 miles) west of Albany, a package wrapped in black plastic and containing many packets of cocaine was discovered six days after the men were recovered.
The following day, an overturned cabin cruiser was found to have eight packages that were similarly wrapped, each containing around 40 kg of cocaine.
The authorities think that the narcotics were taken from the water and were being transported on the boat to the land. Nobody knows exactly how the illegal substances got into the water in the first place.
The public has been sought for assistance in locating Mate Stipinovich, 49, Karl Whitburn, 45, both of whom are from Perth, and Aristides Avlontis, 36, who is believed to be in the Northern Territory. The requests have been made by the police.
According to the authorities, one of the males from Washington state was the registered owner of the yacht that sank.
Graeme Marshall, the acting commander of the AFP, stated that the narcotics seizure would deliver a “major blow” to a “well-resourced syndicate.”
“The Australian Federal Police believes that this seizure has saved the community more than $235 million in drug-related harm,” he added. “This harm includes connected crime, healthcare, and loss of productivity.”
