A man from the NSW Riverina city of Griffith has been charged over his alleged involvement in a plot to import more than a tonne of cocaine into the country from Ecuador.
Australian Federal Police allege the 36-year-old gave $120,000 in cash on behalf of a multi-national organised crime syndicate to a group of Sydney-based associates, which was then used to pay a crew to collect the cocaine from a vessel at sea.
It's alleged the syndicate planned to transfer the cocaine between ships and was scheduled to arrive in Australia in June 2021.
Australian Federal Police say officers searched a home near Griffith in late May and found encrypted devices, an extendable baton and knife.
The authority said a number of other men had been charged in relation to the alleged plot which was discovered during Operation Ironside, a sting focused on organised crime in Australia.
Australian Federal Police commander Kate Ferry said the organisation was relentless in its pursuit to stop transnational serious organised criminals.
The man is due to front the Sydney Central Local Court on Wednesday on a charge of dealing in the proceeds of crime.
