Federal police have arrested a second man allegedly involved in an attempt to smuggle hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into WA.
Officers from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and WA Police arrested Karl Whitburn, 45, last night, following a brief police chase through Perth's eastern suburbs.
Mr Whitburn, Aristides Avlonitis and Mate Stipinovich were found clinging to an esky off the coast of Albany, on Western Australia's south coast, early last month after their boat capsized.
Their boat was found off Peaceful Bay, west of Albany, a week later, with an estimated 365kg of cocaine on board.
"The AFP tracked the man to a property in Henley Brook," an AFP spokesperson said.
"But when officers arrived yesterday evening, he allegedly fled, sparking a pursuit."
Police said Mr Whitburn damaged his car while trying to evade them, before jumping into a vehicle driven by another man he arranged to collect him.
The 45-year-old was allegedly driven to Bennett Springs where he got out of the vehicle, and was arrested after attempting to flee across multiple properties.
AFP officers proceeded to search a shed at the Henley Brook property where Mr Whitburn had been staying, seizing several false licence plates and the equipment used to create them.
Remanded in custody
Mr Whitburn, 45, appeared briefly in Perth Magistrates court on Friday morning.
He was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
Mr Whitburn is the second member of the group to be located, following the arrest of Mr Avlonitis in Darwin last month and his extradition to WA.
Speaking outside of court, his lawyer Michael Tudori said Mr Whitburn had been physically restrained and pulled to the ground during the arrest.
"He's physically not in very good shape, as I understand it was a pretty dramatic arrest of him last night," Mr Tudori said.
"I just hope the prison or someone can give him some medical assistance."
Mr Whitburn is due to face court again in April.
Search continues
AFP Inspector Chris Colley said police were still attempting to locate 49-year-old Mate Stipinovich, the third man involved in the alleged smuggling attempt.
"While we believe he is still in WA, recent international extraditions done by the AFP, working with our offshore partners, show there is nowhere in the world to hide," he said.
"We urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr Stipinovich to call us. Anyone who is assisting him to evade police may also face charges."
