The man allegedly behind a botched plot to import almost a ton of cocaine into Australia has been dramatically arrested after bricks of the drug washed up on beaches and at the Newcastle baths.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) charged a 36-year-old man - who went by the handles 'WANTED' and the name of notorious US gangster 'John Dillinger' on encrypted social media platforms - after they homed in on him in Brisbane on Wednesday as part of a major multi-agency operation.
Police allege the man was the head of a domestic crime network who directed the collection and distribution of multiple massive drug imports into Australia by sea.
Police further claim the Aspley man was violent and threatening in his bid to collect debts and intimidate rivals by engaging criminal mates to firebomb, shoot at, extort and assault his "customers".
The man's arrest followed a complex year-long investigation - codenamed Operation Groot - by the Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce, made up of officers from the AFP, Queensland police, Australian Border Force, the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
A mystery which captivated the state was sparked when barnacle-covered bricks of cocaine started washing up on NSW beaches just before Christmas last year.
The AFP allege the man was a key player in the botched plot to import almost 900 kilograms of cocaine off the Queensland coast in November 2023.
"We will allege the collection at sea was actually unsuccessful," AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said.
"When police learnt this collection was unsuccessful, a coordinated search was undertaken by all of our partner agencies, however, the drugs could not be located."
But it was only a weeks later when beachgoers out for a stroll or swim began to stumble across suspicious packages, allegedly from international ships.
"We believe these drugs were offloaded into the ocean," Detective Superintendent Telfer said.
"There were very adverse weather conditions, we believe they were a significant factor into why they couldn't recover the drugs."
The first barnacle-covered cocaine brick was discovered on the Central Coast, but packs soon began washing up or being pulled from the ocean along the east coast.
A sack stuffed with 39 one-kilogram packs was found at Newcastle Ocean Baths on December 26.
About 256 kilograms of the 900-kilogram shipment had been seized by NSW Police so far.
"There was understandably community concern when cocaine washed up on beaches - beaches where our children play, swim and eat," Detective Superintendent Telfer said.
"The AFP and our partners dedicated a significant amount of resources to ensure we have kept the public safe and brought those allegedly responsible before the courts."
Police are still investigating where the drugs came from, but said they saw South America as a starting off point consistently in Australia.
The man was further accused of playing a significant role in importing almost two tons of cocaine in three plots in the past year alone, with an estimated street value of $683 million, and allegedly arranged the importation and collection of 560 kilograms of cocaine in Western Australia in August 2023.
Since late last year, police suspect the man was involved in conspiracies to import a further 20 tons of drugs into Australia.
Police are also investigating his suspected involvement in the trafficking of cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine across Australia between 2022 and 2024.
He is suspected of having outlaw motorcycle gang links.
Detective Superintendent Telfer said the arrest would be a "significant disruption" to the drug trade.
"More importantly is the impact these drugs have if they get into the community ... that's the greatest outcome for us, is that we're able to prevent that from reaching the community," he said.
The man has been charged with seven Commonwealth offences relating to drug imports and dealing with the proceeds of crime, and a slew of state-based allegations.
If convicted, he faces life behind bars.
He was due to front Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 18.
Further raids were carried out in Queensland after the 36-year-old man's arrest.
"The investigation doesn't stop today," Detective Superintendent Telfer said.
Queensland Police Service Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Phelps said the man was allegedly a significant community threat that coordinated criminal activity at the highest level - including drive-by shootings, robberies and arson.
Anyone with information that may assist the ongoing investigation has been urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
