SYDNEY, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Five men have been arrested over an alleged attempt to import 36 kg of cocaine into Australia from Chile concealed in mining equipment.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Investigations Police of Chile (PDI) said in a statement on Tuesday that a joint investigation began earlier in October when officers in Chile deconstructed two pieces of mining equipment destined for Australia and located 36 kg of cocaine.
The drugs, which had an estimated street value of 11.7 million Australian dollars (7.6 million U.S. dollars), were removed and the consignment allowed to be sent to Sydney alongside PDI investigators.
In Australia, AFP officers observed a 26-year-old man collect the shipment and transport it to a residential property in western Sydney.
The 26-year-old and another man, 37, were arrested after they allegedly tried to cut into the mining equipment to access the cocaine.
They were charged with one count each of attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine. Both offenses carry maximum penalties of life imprisonment.
Evidence subsequently provided by the AFP led to the arrest of three more men in Chile by the PDI, all of whom were charged with illicit association and drug trafficking offenses.
AFP Commander Kate Ferry said that international law enforcement partnerships are making significant strides in disrupting serious organized crime networks and the illicit drug trade. ■
