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A beached yacht on drydock behind police tape

Two men accused of importing $61m of cocaine hidden in yacht at Townsville

Matthieu Anthony Rees and Rachid Kachour arrested at ACT apartment after federal police seize 247kg of cocaine

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Two men have been accused of importing more than $61m worth of cocaine by sea after Australian federal police seized 247kg of the drug allegedly hidden in a yacht in Queensland.

Matthieu Anthony Rees, 44, and Rachid Kachour, 55, both from Griffith in the ACT, were arrested at their apartment on Thursday as part of an investigation into cocaine seized from a yacht moored in Townsville.

Police say one of the men threw a backpack containing $290,000 cash in a vacuum-sealed bag from the apartment balcony when the officers knocked on the front door.

Package inside barnacle encrusted section of hull

The AFP alleges the cash was the proceeds of crime and that both men travelled to Townsville from Canberra in May to recover cocaine hidden inside the yacht’s hull.

Rees and Kachour appeared in the ACT magistrates court on Friday before being extradited to Brisbane on Saturday, and appeared before Brisbane magistrates court on Monday. Both men were charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and dealing in the proceeds of crime worth $100,000 or more.

Kachour was also charged with failing to comply with an order to provide access to digital devices.

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Both defendants were not required to appear in person.

Rees’ solicitor, Ella Scoles, said her client was not making an application for bail and sought an adjournment until September.

Kachour’s legal aid solicitor, Axel Beard, said his client was seeking private representation and sought an adjournment to tomorrow.

Acting magistrate Athol Kennedy adjourned Rees’s matter to 1 September and ordered Kachour’s matter be heard again on Tuesday.

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Brianna Finnegan, a commonwealth prosecutor, said a partial brief of evidence might be disclosed to the defendants during the next six weeks.

The AFP alleged the yacht containing cocaine arrived in Townsville in April after sailing from Vanuatu. Australian Border Force and AFP officers impounded the vessel after an initial search.

Officers found minor anomalies with the hull after taking the vessel out of the water and allegedly found 247kg of cocaine hidden in enclosed sections.

The AFP and Border Force worked with Queensland police during the investigation.

Adrian Telfer, an AFP detective superintendent, said the cocaine found in the yacht had an estimated street value of $61,750,000.

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Lengthy jail terms for 'elderly' traffickers caught with $245 million of cocaine on yacht

Authorities including police and Australian Border Force found half a tonne of cocaine concealed in the hull of this yacht.

Two men have been handed lengthy prison sentences for their involvement in bringing 750 kilograms of cocaine into New South Wales on a yacht in November 2017 .

Police tracked the yacht carrying $245 million worth of cocaine from Tahiti to Coffs Harbour before boarding the vessel in Lake Macquarie.

Kent Anthony Jackson, 64, was described by the judge as a "middle manager" and was sentenced in Newcastle Local Court to 19.5 years in prison.

Dennis Malcolm Bath, 69, who was described as Jackson's assistant, was given 13 years in prison.

Both men were charged with the commercial importation of illegal drugs.

Judge Peter Berman said it was a serious example of a very serious offence, and the maximum penalty for importing a commercial quantity of drugs was life imprisonment.

He said Jackson was more heavily involved in the organisation of the drug importation, responsible for the shipment, the logistics, as well as recruiting Bath.

Jackson had also handled the money and supplied encrypted mobile phones.

The judge said Bath did what he was directed to do by Jackson.

In evidence it was revealed that Jackson was to receive $3 million which he was to split with Bath and another man.

Judge Berman told the court that given the serious nature of their crime, neither man had much of a criminal history.

He said character references had described Jackson as "a caring person who does not have any of the characteristics of a person who would commit the crimes he has committed".

The judge said Jackson had racked up more than $120,000 in gambling debts in Hong Kong to a business associate who had offered him a dealership in encrypted phones that could be used to commit crimes.

The judge was satisfied that Jackson had been threatened by the associate, but said its relevance to the sentences handed down was relatively modest.

He said Jackson had not been supervised in his criminal activities in Australia, and had chosen to visit his associate in Hong Kong on a number of occasions.

As both men were in their sixties, the judge acknowledged that they would do their time much harder than a person who knows that, on release, they would have many years ahead of them.

They had also pleaded guilty at the earliest possible moment , but the judge said they knew the quantity of drugs they were importing and the consequences if they were arrested.

Jackson will be eligible for parole in 2030 and Bath will be eligible in 2027.

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Nsw man admits role in $245m drug importation racket.

Authorities including police and Australian Border Force found half a tonne of cocaine concealed in the hull of this yacht.

Half a tonne of cocaine seized from yacht near Newcastle

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Australian police seize $186 million worth of cocaine on yacht

Police said they seized what they believed to be 1,543 lbs. of cocaine.

— -- More than 1,500 pounds of cocaine, worth an estimated $186 million, were seized from a yacht in the state of New South Wales, Australian police said.

Three men were also arrested in Australia as part of a multi-agency investigation into drug trafficking, according to the Australian Federal Police .

Investigators tracked the yacht as it traveled from the South Pacific bound for New South Wales. When it reached Lake Macquarie, in New South Wales, authorities boarded the vessel and arrested a 68-year-old man, police said.

Colombia authorities make record 12-ton cocaine seizure

Germany: dutch man arrested with drugs worth $3.5 million.

A 47-year-old man was taken into custody at a hotel in the nearby Warners Bay area of Lake Macquarie, and a third man, 63 years old, was arrested at a home in nearby Islington, according to police.

When police boarded the vessel, they found “a large commercial quantity of cocaine concealed within the hull” -- believed to amount to 1,543 lbs. of cocaine with an estimated potential street value of $186 million, police said.

Forensic officers are continuing to take apart the boat, as well as examine and test the cocaine, according to police.

PHOTO: Australian police said they arrested three men in connection of the seizure 1,543 pounds of cocaine on a yacht in New South Wales, Australia, Nov. 15, 2017.

Another, even larger, drug bust was announced in Colombia last week.

Authorities seized 12 tons of cocaine, worth an estimated $360 million, according to the Associated Press . The Colombian president said it was the country’s largest drug bust.

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Alleged drug smuggling syndicate dismantled after cocaine-filled yacht intercepted in multi-agency investigation

Australian Border Force, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Federal Police, New South Wales Police Force

Police have seized 700kg of cocaine and arrested three men as part of a multi-agency investigation into international drug trafficking by sea.

In August, investigators from the NSW Police Force (NSWPF) State Crime Command’s Organised Crime Squad, Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) commenced a joint investigation into the importation of cocaine by private vessels.

As a result of inquiries, investigators identified a vessel of interest travelling from the South Pacific bound for NSW, which was monitored through Australian waters.

The investigation has also been assisted by the Australian Border Force, and the National Gendarmerie, Tahiti; as well as NSWPF Marine Area Command and PolAir, and specialist technical and surveillance officers from each agency.

Following extensive investigations, a coordinated joint resolution operation was commenced in the Lake Macquarie area about 3pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 November 2017).

During the operation, a 68-year-old man was arrested on board the vessel at Toronto, a 47-year-old man was arrested at a hotel at Warners Bay, and a 63-year-old man was arrested at a home at Islington.

In addition, multiple search warrants were executed across the Lake Macquarie area with the assistance of Strike Force Raptor, and further warrants were executed by AFP in Western Australia and Thailand.

On board the vessel, investigators located a large commercial quantity of cocaine concealed within the hull.

Specialist forensic officers are continuing to deconstruct the boat and examine the contents, but it is believed to contain 700kg of cocaine, which has an estimated potential street value of $245 million.

Further forensic testing will be conducted to determine the exact weight and purity.

The three men were charged with import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Thursday 16 November 2017), where they were formally bail refused to appear at the same court on Tuesday 30 January 2018.

The maximum penalty for import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs is life imprisonment.

Joint investigations are continuing, and further arrests are expected.

NSWPF State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon, said the results of recent joint agency investigations are indicative of the seriousness of NSW’s thirst for illicit drugs, particularly cocaine.

“As we recently highlighted, the Organised Crime Squad – with the assistance of our law enforcement partners both here and abroad – has seized tonnes of prohibited drugs and precursors destined for the streets of NSW,” Assistant Commissioner Lanyon said.

“With every seizure we make, a syndicate is taken down, but the demand remains high, and another organised criminal syndicate is willing to flip the coin and risk it all to try and exploit that demand for profit.

“NSW Police Force will continue making arrests and seizing drugs - within NSW and offshore – with our partners, including AFP, ACIC, and ABF, but until there’s a reduction in demand, we cannot reduce the harm of organised criminal activity on the community,” Assistant Commissioner Lanyon said.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan, National Manager Organised Crime and Cyber, said the drug-filled vessel had passed through Tahiti before making its way to the East Coast of Australia.

“It is no surprise that criminal syndicates undertake sophisticated attempts that go to great lengths – even crossing oceans in relatively small craft – to import narcotics,” Assistant Commissioner Gaughan said.

“This is nothing more than an attempt to flood our streets with dangerous narcotics to make a profit, with police, health professionals and the community picking up the bill for all the peripheral damage they will cause.”

ABF Acting Assistant Commissioner Strategic Border Command, James Watson, said this seizure is a huge win not only for our law enforcement partners, but for the Australian community.

“It is no secret that cocaine is an extremely harmful and addictive drug that can rip apart and destroy Australian families,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Watson said.

“No matter how you criminal syndicates attempt to try to circumvent the border – the ABF are there and ready to stop them. We will continue to work with our partners to smash this criminal activity – every seizure no matter how big or small can save lives and put a dent into organised crime.”

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to organised criminal activity in their community to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page:  https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au/  Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Media enquiries

NSW Police Force: (02) 8835 8339

AFP National Media: (02) 6131 6333

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Eight men convicted over 1.2tonne meth import – then australia’s biggest drug bust, two arrested, 300kg in liquid mdma hidden in wine bottles seized, perth man charged with money laundering after afp seizes $1 million cash from car boot, five charged, 80kg of 'ice' and more than $1.7 million cash seized, nsw man jailed following $47 million cocaine investigation, authorities put brakes on $24 million cocaine tyre import, 320kg cocaine seized and two arrested in wa, trident dismantles illicit tobacco importation syndicate, four charged by echo taskforce as part of investigation into drug syndicate, three men charged after almost $4.7 million cash, 5kg of drugs and cryptocurrency teller machines seized – strike force mactier.

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Police release pictures of $245 million cocaine haul on board yacht

Investigators seize 700kg of class a drug off new south wales coast, article bookmarked.

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Police uncovered a huge haul of cocaine in the hull of a yacht in New South Wales, Australia , which they valued at £245 million.

The vessel contained 700kg of t he Class A drug when it was i n t ercepted at Toronto ne ar Lake Macquarie , follow ing a multi-agency investigation into drug trafficking by sea.

The force tweeted photos of the drug bust, commenting “it won’t be a white Christmas in NSW this year”.

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Three men have been arrested and charged with importing the drugs. They were refused bail at Newcastle Local Court.

Police arrested a 68-year-old man was arrested on board the vessel, while a 47-year-old man was arrested at a hotel. A 63-year-old man was arrested at a home nearby.

Australian Federal Police assistant commissioner Neil Gaughan said the drug-filled vessel had passed through Tahiti in Hawaii, before making its way to Australia.

“It is no surprise that criminal syndicates undertake sophisticated attempts that go to great lengths – even crossing oceans in relatively small craft – to import narcotics," he said.

World news in pictures

“This is nothing more than an attempt to flood our streets with dangerous narcotics to make a profit, with police, health professionals and the community picking up the bill for all the peripheral damage they will cause.”

NSW Police Force state crime commander Mal Lanyon added: “With every seizure we make, a syndicate is taken down, but the demand remains high, and another organised criminal syndicate is willing to flip the coin and risk it all to try and exploit that demand for profit,”

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afp illicit drug boat raid 1

Police raid boat off Lake Macquarie in alleged $750m drug bust

Two men arrested and sailboat impounded after french police tip-off.

Two people were arrested after what is believed to be more than a tonne of methamphetamine with a street value of $750 million was discovered on a yacht off the coast of Lake Macquarie over the weekend.

The arrests followed a joint operation from the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police and Australian Border Force, collaborating with agencies from the United Kingdom and New Caledonia.

The alarm was raised after French authorities in New Caledonia had noticed a second boat’s arrival in the area the day before.

afp illicit drug boat raid 2

It is alleged the drugs were transferred from this boat to the LaFayette ,  a Bavaria 50 Cruiser, off Norfolk Island. The  LaFayette then headed south towards the east coast of Australia.

Arrests made

NSW Police stopped the boat about 4am yesterday about 50 nautical miles off Lake Macquarie. Two crew members – a 33-year-old New Zealander and a 35-year-old holding dual UK/South African citizenship – were arrested on board. Both have been charged with import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and were due to appear before Parramatta Bail Court this morning.

afp illicit drug boat raid 4

The yacht was towed by the NSW Police Marine Area Command boat Nemesis to the Marine Area Command base in Balmain, Sydney, on Saturday afternoon.

Police have recovered what is believed to be blocks of methamphetamine wrapped in plastic.

The men were taken to Surry Hills Police Station and charged with import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and are due to appear before Parramatta Bail Court this morning via video link.

Extreme measures

Police said the criminal network behind the alleged drug imports had gone to “extreme measures” to traffic the drugs into NSW given strict coronavirus-related international travel restrictions.

afp illicit drug boat raid 3

“Organised crime groups will stop at nothing – not even a global pandemic – to try and flood our communities with drugs for greed and profit,” AFP Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough said.

The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment. Police have not ruled out further arrests.

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High seize: Hunter musicians charged over $245 million cocaine bust on Lake Macquarie

Saxophone player Craig Lembke was one of three men arrested after 700kg on drugs were found on a yacht at Toronto.

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One was once a part-time model who remained a popular saxophonist in a jazz band.  Another was a veteran of the Newcastle music scene.

But backstage, police allege Craig Lembke and Kent Jackson – along with another man, Dennis Bath – were moonlighting as the front men of a $245 million drug importation racket in charge of shipping 700kg of cocaine into Australia via the South Pacific.

The trio are now facing life behind bars after they were arrested as part of a joint-agency international drug sting which allegedly watched the massive haul being sailed from Tahiti to a bay on Lake Macquarie.

lake macquarie yacht drug bust

After months of surveillance, state and federal police swooped on a 14-metre twin-hull yacht moored in Catalina Bay on Wednesday.

On board was Mr Bath, a 68-year-old from Broadmeadow. And after the yacht was towed back to a wharf at Toronto, and Mr Bath placed in handcuffs and taken into custody, the officers allegedly found what they were looking for.

Hidden deep in the bow of both hulls were scores of tightly wrapped bricks which authorities say amounted to more than 700kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $245million. The haul was so big it took a line of officers more than 30 minutes to unload the bricks in front of bemused locals on the Toronto foreshore on Thursday.

Police will allege they began watching the trio after information came from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, formed last year to bring together the Australian Crime Commission and CrimTrac.

The investigation, involving the NSW Police Force's Organised Crime Squad and the Australian Federal Police, had been monitoring increased shipping activity from the South Pacific to Australia linked to large-scale drug importation.

Newcastle musician Kent Jackson.

It is alleged the trio had organised to pick up the shipment in Tahiti, with the syndicate’s tentacles also reaching Thailand where some members had allegedly met to help hatch the plan.

In October, Mr Lembke is alleged to have flown to Tahiti to pick up the yacht and sail it home.

Police have not determined the origins of the shipment, but are working with the US Drug Enforcement Agency to investigate possible links to drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia.

The vessel arrived at Coffs Harbour last Friday before it was sailed down the east coast, arriving in Catalina Bay on Monday.

Police swooped on Wednesday afternoon, taking Mr Bath into custody while conducting raids on several Lake Macquarie properties as other search warrants were executed by federal police in Western Australia and Thailand.

Mr Lembke, a 47-year-old former model and talented saxophonist, was arrested at a hotel in Warners Bay and Mr Jackson, 63, was taken into custody at Islington.

Mr Jackson was a bass player in well-known Newcastle bands, The Eighty Eights, Big Bam Boom and more recently, Misbehave.

The trio briefly faced Newcastle Local Court on Thursday morning where they were formally refused bail on the charge of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.

As they were facing court, a large team of federal and state police remained at the Toronto wharf to retrieve the huge haul of cocaine, which was carried off by police rescue squad members over several loads using a body stretcher and tarpaulin.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan said 3.3 tonnes of cocaine had been seized in Australia in the past year.

"We're not naive enough to think that this is the end of the business and to these people who continue to try and bring these types of substances into Australia while we have a significant demand issue," he said.

"We need to ask ourselves some serious questions as a community why we have such an insatiable demand, not only for cocaine, but methamphetamine in this country. We have seen no change in the street price, even though we've seen 3.3 tonnes of drugs removed from the streets in 12 months.

"It says something in relation to the amount of cocaine that is still on the streets.

"It's an education issue. We need to start early with our kids in schools to ensure they don't put this filth in their veins.

"That they don't snort this filth up their nose. We need to ensure we keep filth off the streets."

State Crime Commander Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the results of recent joint agency investigations were "indicative of the seriousness of NSW's thirst for illicit drugs, particularly cocaine".

"As we recently highlighted, the Organised Crime Squad – with the assistance of our law enforcement partners both here and abroad – has seized tonnes of prohibited drugs and precursors destined for the streets of NSW," Assistant Commissioner Lanyon said.

"With every seizure we make, a syndicate is taken down, but the demand remains high, and another organised criminal syndicate is willing to flip the coin and risk it all to try and exploit that demand for profit.

The cocaine allegedly seized from a yacht on Lake Macquarie. Picture: NSW Police

"NSW Police Force will continue making arrests and seizing drugs – within NSW and offshore – with our partners, including AFP, ACIC, and ABF, but until there's a reduction in demand, we cannot reduce the harm of organised criminal activity on the community."

Australian Border Force acting Assistant Commissioner James Watson said the seizure was "a huge win not only for our law enforcement partners, but for the Australian community".

"It is no secret that cocaine is an extremely harmful and addictive drug that can rip apart and destroy Australian families," he said.

"No matter how you criminal syndicates attempt to try to circumvent the border – the ABF are there and ready to stop them. We will continue to work with our partners to smash this criminal activity – every seizure no matter how big or small can save lives and put a dent into organised crime."

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1.5 million fentanyl doses seized in massive Florida drug ring bust: 'No sympathy' for 'these scumbags'

Huge fentanyl ring dismantled in florida.

A Volusia County task force seized 2,300 grams of fentanyl in a massive drug bust, which equates to 1.5 million doses.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - More than 40 people were arrested in connection to a massive drug ring responsible for trafficking over 2,300 grams of fentanyl into Central Florida, Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood said in a joint news conference Tuesday. That's the equivalent to 1.5 million doses, he said, which is enough fentanyl to wipe out the entire city of San Diego. 

"Operation Daly Dose" kicked off in August 2022 as a multi-jurisdictional investigation into fentanyl and cocaine trafficking in Central Florida. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office worked with the Volusia Bureau of Investigation, West Volusia Narcotics Task Force, Lake County Sheriff's Office, FBI, DEA and Homeland Security on the operation named after Drew Daly, 29, who was arrested earlier this year for allegedly trafficking fentanyl. 

Chitwood said Daly got his supplies from Vernon Woodward II, 41, and Preston Ingram, 36, who were also arrested as part of the investigation. Woodward's home and vehicles in DeLand were named in an April 4 shooting where multiple shell casings were recovered after a neighbor's house was hit by a stray bullet, officials said in a news release. 

"These drug traffickers were responsible for trafficking kilo amounts of fentanyl in Volusia and Lake County on a monthly basis," Chitwood said. 

The task force estimates that 6 to 8 kilos a month have been "coming in and destroying" Central Florida since the investigation began. At least one overdose death is under investigation in connection to Daly's organization, officials said in a news release. 

"There should be no sympathy or no kind of anything for what these scumbags are doing to our community," Chitwood added. 

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What is fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a prescription drug that can be made and used illegally, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse . In hospitals, the medicine is used as a pain reliever for patients who might have just had surgery or have a physical tolerance to other opioids. 

The synthetic opioid, however, is illegally made in labs and sold in different forms, including powder, eye dropper, nasal spray or pills. Fentanyl is also mixed by drug dealers with other drugs like heroin, cocaine, meth and MDMA because "it takes very little to produce a high with fentanyl, making it a cheaper option," according to the NIDA. 

Some of fentanyl's effects include extreme happiness, drowsiness, nausea, confusion, constipation, breathing problems and unconsciousness. 

‘They won’t be seeing the light of day for quite a while’

Throughout the investigation, officials said over 41 people have been arrested on multiple charges, including: 

  • Armed trafficking in fentanyl
  • Armed trafficking in methamphetamine
  • Armed trafficking in cocaine
  • Armed trafficking in MDMA
  • Armed trafficking in heroin
  • Use of two-way communication device
  • Possession of firearm by convicted felon
  • Conspiracy to introduce contraband into county intake facility
  • Trafficking in stolen property

Some of these suspects got life sentences since it wasn't their first conviction, Chitwood said. "This time, with the amount of weight and just everything that went on with the wire taps and search warrants and some of them in their own words felt they won't be seeing the light of day for quite a while," he said.

Officials make massive drug bust in Florida

Officials seized over 3,000 grams of narcotics in a massive drug bust in Central Florida.

Officials said they used surveillance, search warrants, intelligence gathering and wire taps to "infiltrate and dismantle" the alleged drug operation. One of their search warrants revealed PVC piping where the suspects reportedly stored drugs inside and buried and a fentanyl pill press, Chitwood said. Also in a "stash house" in Orange City, officials found drugs and weapons in trees. 

Furthermore, the ring is also allegedly connected to a series of organized thefts at multiple Walmart stores, where one of the suspects pretended to be an employee to steal TVs to trade them for drugs. 

"These guys aren't that smart, but they're also not that stupid," Chitwood said. 

Photo: Volusia County Sheriff's Office

‘Secure that (expletive) border’

Chitwood broke down where the fentanyl comes from and how it gets into the U.S. 

"China sends the pre-cursors into Mexico and those labs ship it to us," he said. "I think we're pretty confident in saying that. … When you have a porous border, this is what comes into our community."

Pre-cursors are chemicals used in the illegal making of street drugs.  

In Volusia County, Chitwood estimates there are about 3,000 overdose deaths a year. "We're going to keep it up our end, but we do need people to secure that (expletive) border and make it a little bit more difficult to get the narcotics in here," he said. 

Over 3,000 grams of drugs seized

Officials shared what was seized in the massive drug bust: 

  • 2,319.7 grams of fentanyl
  • 53 grams of black tar heroin
  • 138 grams of cocaine
  • 423 grams of meth
  • 43 grams of MDMA
  • 180 opioid pills
  • 6.5 pounds of marijuana
  • 11 firearms, one of which was stolen
  • $100,000 in cash

2,300 grams of fentanyl is equal to 1.5 million doses

Officials said that 2,300 grams of fentanyl is the equivalent of 1.5 million doses. Just 1 kilo of fentanyl is equal to 673,000 doses. 

One kilo of cocaine is the equivalent to 5,500 doses, while 1 kilo of heroin is 142,000 doses. 

‘The days of smoking the innocent joint’ are over

Lake County Sheriff Peyton Grinnell stressed the importance of adults talking to their children about the dangers of fentanyl. 

"The days of smoking the innocent joint, it's really Russian roulette today," he said. "When they go to parties on a Friday night, that innocent toke off a marijuana cigarette might be the last thing that they ever do."

lake macquarie yacht drug bust

‘We’re actively coming to get ya'

The drug investigation continues as recent as Tuesday morning. Officials said two dozen suspects were taken into custody during a sweep last Thursday that included nine search warrants executed across Central Florida. 

Monday night, two other suspects were brought in from Deltona, while another was picked up in Lake County on Tuesday morning. 

"We're out there actively, just ‘cause there’s a warrant out there. We're actively coming to get ya," Chitwood said. "You got nowhere to hide, and they can't hide from an arrest warrant."

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  • More states legalize fentanyl test strips to fight rising opioid deaths
  • 5 days later, another kilo of cocaine has been found by Volusia County deputies

Over 40 people arrested in Operation Daly Dose

Among the three dozen arrests made in this investigation was Daly's girlfriend Lauren Toce, who was responsible for a child who experienced a drug overdose in 2020. The child survived, but Toce was arrested for violating probation for child neglect. 

While she was incarcerated, she allegedly conspired with Daly and his brother Patrick Daly in an attempt to smuggle cocaine, Xanax and other contraband into the Volusia County Branch Jail, officials said in a news release. Deputies intercepted their efforts. 

lake macquarie yacht drug bust

The following suspects were arrested, per the Volusia County Sheriff's Office:

Vernon Woodward II, 41 of Orange City

  • Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (28 grams or more)
  • Trafficking in Fentanyl (28 grams or more)
  • Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine (28 Grams or More)
  • Trafficking in Cocaine (28 Grams or More)
  • Conspiracy to Manufacture Fentanyl
  • Manufacture Fentanyl
  • Unlawful Use of a Two Way Communications Device

Preston Gerald Denard Ingram, 36 of DeLand

  • Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (28 grams or more
  • Delivery of Cocaine

Drew Thomas Daly, 29 of DeLand

  • Trafficking in Fentanyl (28 Grams or more)
  • Trafficking in Fentanyl x 3 (4 Grams or more)
  • Possession of a Conveyance with knowledge that the Conveyance will be used for the Sale of a Controlled Substance
  • Conspiracy to Traffic in Stolen Property by Organizing, Planning or Supervising the Theft of Property
  • Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband into a County Detention Facility
  • Possession of Cocaine (VSO 22-20914)

Terell Devon Ross, 40 of DeLand

  • Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl (28 grams or more)
  • Armed Trafficking in Methamphetamine (Over 200 grams)
  • Armed Trafficking in Cocaine
  • Armed Trafficking in MDMA
  • Armed Trafficking in Heroin
  • Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
  • Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device

Darrell Deandre Woodward, 40 of Orange City

Lauren Marie Toce, 35 of DeLand

  • Trafficking in Fentanyl (14 grams or more)
  • Trafficking in Fentanyl (4 grams or more) (2)
  • Possession of a Conveyance w/ Knowledge It Will Be Used for the Sale of a Controlled Substance

Brian Heath Vestal, 45 of DeLand

  • Conspiracy to Traffic in Cocaine (28 grams or more)
  • Possession of a Conveyance for the Sale of a Controlled Substance
  • Possession of a Structure w/ Knowledge It Will Be Used for Trafficking in a Controlled Substance

Michelle Lynn Bishop, 33 of DeBary

  • Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (14 grams or more)

Tina Marie Herschman, 52 of Deltona

  • Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (4 grams or more)

Allison Rebeka Gathings, 28 of Orange City

  • Solicitation to Deliver Fentanyl
  • Solicitation to Deliver Cocaine

Courtney Marie Long, 55 of Orange City

  • Conspiracy to Purchase Fentanyl
  • Conspiracy to Purchase Cocaine

Michael Patrick Hunt, 40 of Port Orange

  • Purchase of Fentanyl

Daniel Wayne Morris, 40 of DeBary

  • Conspiracy to Traffic in Fentanyl (4 Grams or More)

Jessica Paige Jones, 32 of DeLand

Katie Lee Jones, 32 of DeLand

Danielle L Santopietro, 40 of Orange City

Andre Martinez, 53 of Deltona

Fernando Scott Lagunas, 30 of DeLand

Brandon Kurtis Williford, 41 of Orange City

  • Solicitation to Purchase Buprenorphine

Michael Wade Cooper, 50 of DeLand

Donald Irvin Longenecker, 42 of DeLand

  • Unlawful Use of a Two Way communications Device
  • Trafficking in Stolen Property by Organizing, Planning or Supervising the Theft of Property
  • Felony Petit Theft with Two or More Priors

Chelsea Fults-Paine, 40 of DeLand

Richard Alan Beckner, 57 of DeBary

Kevin Lee Moore, 29 

  • Conspiracy to Deliver Fentanyl

Frederick Roy McDaniel III, 34 of DeLand

The following are wanted:

Jarrick Lorenzo Ross, 30 of Orange City

Patrick Steven Daly, 32 of DeLand

  • Delivery of Buprenorphine
  • Delivery of Alprazolam
  • Introduction of Contraband into a County Detention Facility

Robert Lee Yates, 33 of Deltona

Donald Lowell Lucas III, 44 of DeLand

Brian Keith Pitzer, 52 of Deltona

  • Possession of Fentanyl

Jose Angel Gomez Jr (aka "Guido"), 44 of Orange City

Matthew Quinn Stomber, 28 of Orange City

IMAGES

  1. HUNDREDS OF KILOGRAMS OF DRUGS SEIZED FROM YACHT NEAR LAKE MACQUARIE

    lake macquarie yacht drug bust

  2. Yacht carrying massive amount of drugs intercepted off the NSW coast

    lake macquarie yacht drug bust

  3. Yacht carrying massive amount of drugs intercepted off the NSW coast

    lake macquarie yacht drug bust

  4. Yacht carrying massive amount of drugs intercepted off the NSW coast

    lake macquarie yacht drug bust

  5. NBN News

    lake macquarie yacht drug bust

  6. HUNDREDS OF KILOGRAMS OF DRUGS SEIZED FROM YACHT NEAR LAKE MACQUARIE

    lake macquarie yacht drug bust

COMMENTS

  1. Lake Macquarie yacht drug bust: two men sentenced for 991-kilogram

    NSW Police's command vessel Nemesis stopped the yacht about 50 nautical miles east of Lake Macquarie. The two crew members were arrested and police seized the drugs. Both men were sentenced on July 15 for attempting to import a commercial quantity of a controlled drug.

  2. Police bust 'largest' ever importation of cocaine after man allegedly

    NSW Police said Strike Force investigators made replicas of the items seized in April, which were then taken to a storage facility in the Lake Macquarie area in the Hunter region. Police arrest a ...

  3. NSW Cops Uncovered $245M Of Cocaine On A Yacht In Lake Macquarie

    NSW Police have executed a drug bust on a yacht in Lake Macquarie, discovering a haul of cocaine worth an estimated $245 million. Three men were arrested in the multi-agency sting that yielded a ...

  4. Cops smash drug smuggling syndicate as $245m of cocaine found on yacht

    Police have smashed an alleged drug smuggling syndicate where at least half a tonne of cocaine to the estimated street value of $245 million has been found hidden on a yacht at Lake Macquarie.

  5. Lake Macquarie cocaine bust: three arrested after police storm yacht

    Police storm boat on Lake Macquarie in massive cocaine bust. Ad. Latest News. ... COCAINE with a potential street value of $245 million has been seized from a yacht on Lake Macquarie after police tracked the vessel from the South Pacific. ... The joint agency international drug trafficking sting occurred near Toronto on Wednesday afternoon ...

  6. Two men accused of importing $61m of cocaine hidden in yacht at

    Two men have been accused of importing more than $61m worth of cocaine by sea after Australian federal police seized 247kg of the drug allegedly hidden in a yacht in Queensland.

  7. Lengthy jail terms for 'elderly' traffickers caught with $245m of

    Police tracked the yacht carrying $245 million worth of cocaine from Tahiti to Coffs Harbour before boarding the vessel in Lake Macquarie. Kent Anthony Jackson, 64, was described by the judge as a ...

  8. Lake Macquarie cocaine bust: three arrested after police storm yacht

    Police storm boat on Lake Macquarie in massive cocaine bust.

  9. Australian police seize $186 million worth of cocaine on yacht

    Australian police said they seized 1,543 pounds of cocaine from a yacht in the Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, Nov. 15, 2017. ... Another, even larger, drug bust was announced in ...

  10. Alleged drug smuggling syndicate dismantled after cocaine-filled yacht

    Following extensive investigations, a coordinated joint resolution operation was commenced in the Lake Macquarie area about 3pm yesterday (Wednesday 15 November 2017). During the operation, a 68-year-old man was arrested on board the vessel at Toronto, a 47-year-old man was arrested at a hotel at Warners Bay, and a 63-year-old man was arrested ...

  11. Police release pictures of $245 million cocaine haul on board yacht

    Police released photos of the drug bust on Twitter ... 700kg of t he Class A drug when it was i n t ercepted at Toronto ne ar Lake Macquarie, ... pictures of $245 million cocaine haul on board yacht.

  12. Police raid boat off Lake Macquarie in alleged $750m drug bust

    Two men arrested and sailboat impounded after French police tip-off. Two people were arrested after what is believed to be more than a tonne of methamphetamine with a street value of $750 million was discovered on a yacht off the coast of Lake Macquarie over the weekend. The arrests followed a joint operation from the Australian Federal Police ...

  13. Massive cocaine haul found aboard a yacht near Newcastle

    The joint agency international drug trafficking sting occurred on Lake Macquarie on Wednesday afternoon where state and federal police allegedly uncovered 700kg of cocaine hidden inside the twin ...

  14. Men charged after drug bust near Lake Macquarie

    April 19, 2020. Two men have been charged after a yacht suspected to be carrying hundreds of kilograms of methamphetamine was intercepted off the NSW coast near Lake Macquarie. The arrests follow a multi-agency investigation known as Operation ROMANI, comprising the Australian Federal Police (AFP), New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) and ...

  15. Cocaine drug bust in Lake Macquarie

    NSW Police, US Navy and US Coastguard have smashed an international drug importation ring and have arrested three men in Lake Macquarie - including a directo...

  16. La Fayette drug bust: Man 'flabbergasted' at mothership's illicit cargo

    Police intercepted the La Fayette in waters off Lake Macquarie. Picture: NSW Police New Zealander Mark Bishell was one of two men arrested on the yacht that was carrying 991kg of ice destined for ...

  17. Casino big spender sparked investigation leading to NSW's ...

    By 9News Staff. 10:56am Jun 4, 2021. A drug bust which took a year's worth of cocaine off the streets in New South Wales was sparked by suspicions of a big spender at a casino, police have said ...

  18. High seize: Hunter musicians charged over $245 million cocaine bust on

    The cocaine allegedly seized from a yacht on Lake Macquarie. Picture: NSW Police "NSW Police Force will continue making arrests and seizing drugs - within NSW and offshore - with our partners, including AFP, ACIC, and ABF, but until there's a reduction in demand, we cannot reduce the harm of organised criminal activity on the community."

  19. Three charged in cyber drug bust worth $1.6m in crypto

    3:43pm Apr 13, 2022. Three people have been charged after allegedly selling drugs, including e-cigarettes and lollies containing THC, through the dark web near the Lake Macquarie area in NSW ...

  20. 700+ pounds of cocaine seized in huge Central Florida drug trafficking bust

    339 kilos of cocaine seized in massive Central Florida drug bust. ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Federal and state officials said more than 339 kilos - or 700 pounds of cocaine - was seized - and 35 ...

  21. 1.5 million fentanyl doses seized in massive Florida drug ring bust

    More than 40 people were arrested in connection to a massive drug ring responsible for trafficking over 2,300 grams of fentanyl, Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood said in a joint news ...

  22. More than 300,000 fentanyl pills seized in federal bust connected to 3

    More than 300,000 fentanyl pills seized in federal bust connected to 3 major drug trafficking groups ... with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Seattle Police Department ...

  23. Online steroid culture reacts to recent drug bust

    Jul 22, 2008 Updated Jun 12, 2015. Online steroid culture reacts to recent drug bust. With last week's announcement of the largest underground steroid bust in U.S. history, federal authorities say ...