Four charged after $170 million worth of cocaine found floating off WA

Monday, 24 November 2025 17:50

Over half a tonne of cocaine was seized, with some of the men arrested now facing life imprisonment.

The chief officer of an international livestock carrier is among four people who have been charged with attempting to import over half a tonne of cocaine after it was found floating off the coast of Western Australia.

The initial discovery was made on November 6 after members of the public found packages tied to flotation devices about 30 kilometres offshore.

The bundles were eventually collected by authorities off the coast of Lancelin, about 125 kilometres north of Perth.

Some of the haul seized off the coast of WA. Around $170 million of the drug was found, 525kg overall.

The seizure turned out to be 525 kilograms of cocaine, which has a value of over $170 million.

It is alleged the drugs were dropped off of an international livestock carrier which was on its way to Fremantle Harbour.

A day later, a 46-year-old Croatian man, who was the chief officer of the vessel, was arrested.

A blue drum and ropes similar to those found with the drugs were found in a search of the ship, whilst police also allege a CCTV camera had been blocked whilst the drugs were being offloaded.

Three other men were also charged in relation to the attempted importation, with two men being tracked down by authorities after getting into distress in the open water.

On November 3, emergency services were called to a boat that was taking on water off the coast of Guilderton.

Two men from Sydney, aged 19 and 36, were found and brought safely to shore, whilst further investigations led to the identification of a 52-year-old Perth man.

It is alleged the trio made multiple attempts to retrieve the cocaine from the ocean after launching boats from the Two Rocks Boat ramp.

They were all subsequently arrested, with the two Sydney men being extradited to Western Australia.

The four men have been charged with multiple offences, with the 19-year-old man and the 46-year-old Croatian man facing the most severe penalties of life imprisonment if found guilty.

Police say investigations are ongoing, including into the origins of the cocaine, and they believe more arrests will be made.

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