3 Sydney dockworkers charged over massive cocaine shipment

Sydney, Sep 2 (AP) Three Sydney dockworkers have been charged over a massive shipment of cocaine in a law enforcement investigation into trusted insiders importing illicit drugs into Australia, authorities said on Tuesday.
     The three, aged 25, 38 and 42, appeared in a Sydney court on Monday charged over 506 kilograms of cocaine found hidden behind a false wall in a shipping container on the Sydney waterfront on the weekend, Australian Federal Police said in a statement. The cocaine had a street value of more than 164 million Australian dollars (USD 107 million).
     The older two men were forklift drivers employed by a global shipping and logistics company that authorities have not named.
     Police also found AUD 330,000 (USD 216,240) cash which they allege is the proceeds of crime.
     All three face potential life sentences if convicted.
     The 42-year-old man was released on bail but the others were remanded in custody. They will all appear in court next on October 29.
     The shipping container was sent from Europe, but the source of the cocaine remained under investigation, according to police.
     The men were arrested by the Multi Agency Strike Team. The team is made up of state and federal agencies who target “trusted insiders” within supply chains that allow organised crime groups to smuggle illicit drugs into Australia. (AP) GRS
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)