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Five Charged in NSWQueensland Probe Uncovering 100kg of Cocaine Hidden in Timber

Investigators say the timber’s origin remains a key line of inquiry.

Overview

  • Police arrested a 33-year-old at Ocean Shores on February 10, charging him with large commercial supply and directing a criminal group, with a court appearance scheduled today.
  • Queensland officers found wooden planks inside a clandestine extraction lab at Molendinar and arrested four men aged 42 to 55, alleging possession of a cocaine press and drug production.
  • Searches on January 22 seized about six tonnes of planks in Lismore, with police alleging the syndicate concealed roughly 100 kilograms of cocaine in timber stored across both locations.
  • Earlier steps in the inquiry included a January 2 Kingsford arrest of a 33-year-old with 2 kilograms of cocaine and a January 4 Ballina Airport car search that uncovered cocaine, ketamine, and nearly $400,000.
  • Authorities estimate the alleged haul at about $14 million and credit Strike Force Capulin’s cross-border work, while inquiries continue into the wider supply chain.