Commonwealth prosecutors have dropped their case against one of four men arrested over a 400-kilogram cocaine shipment that was dropped in waters off Adelaide.
Australian Federal Police previously said the 416 kilograms of cocaine, which had a street value of more than $250 million, was "destined for all major cities" in Australia and the bust was the result of a multi-agency investigation.
The AFP said a commercial bulk-carrier ship was used to transport the drugs which were then dropped off at a predetermined location in deep waters off the Yorke Peninsula in March last year.
The drugs were located after a "methodical, arduous and endless search" by Australian Border Force officers.
Four Filipino crew members — Alcris Dente Mabini, Mark Torrenueva Enriquez, Angelito Devalque Balansag and Ian Gelan Dizon — were charged with drug importation.
At a hearing in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) discontinued its case against Mr Balansag.
The court heard as Mr Balansag was an "unlawful citizen" he would be handed over to the custody of Australian Border Force so he could be deported.
In a statement, the CDPP confirmed it had dropped the case.
"The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has discontinued Mr Balansag's prosecution having applied the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth," a spokesperson said.
The prosecution against the other three accused remains ongoing.
