Australian Federal Police have intercepted a shipment of more than 416 kilograms of cocaine dropped in waters off Adelaide, which police say was "destined for all major cities in the country."
It is the largest amount of cocaine ever detected in South Australia, with a street value upwards of $250 million.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) assistant commissioner Peter Harvey said the drug bust was the result of a multi-agency investigation into organised international crime.
"The investigation was launched in mid-March after an assessment of intelligence that suggested a commercial bulk-carrier ship, the Kypros Bravery, was to be used to traffic illicit drugs into Australia," he said.
Assistant Commissioner Harvey said police believed the drugs were dropped off at a predetermined location in "deep waters" off the Yorke Peninsula on March 15.
Volunteer coast guard members confirmed they had rescued a small boat that ran out of fuel in Investigator Strait, near Kangaroo Island, on the same day.
"The Australian Border Force conducted a methodical, arduous, and endless search of the ocean area and located the shipment on the 18th of March," Assistant Commissioner Harvey said.
Four crew members arrested
Assistant Commissioner Harvey said police have arrested and charged four Filipino nationals, who were crew members aboard the cargo ship.
"They been charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug...the maximum penalty is life imprisonment," he said.
The men will face court today, with prosecutors to seek that bail not be granted.
Assistant Commissioner Harvey said the scale of the cocaine shipment indicated Adelaide was not its sole destination.
The multi-jurisdictional investigation between the AFP, South Australian Police, Australian Border Force, Department of Home Affairs, and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission continues.
