Australian police seize 2.3 tons of cocaine worth $500 million, found on wrecked boat

Australian police have seized 2.3 tonnes of cocaine from a wrecked boat off the coast of Queensland, authorities said today.

Eleven men and two minors were arrested, including the ship's crew and others waiting ashore to receive the illegal cargo, the Telegraph reports.

The drugs had an estimated street value of US$490 million, with the potential to be distributed in 11.7 million separate street deals – making it the largest cocaine seizure in Australian history.

Australian Federal Police claimed one of the men arrested on Saturday night was the vice president of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle club in Brisbane.

Biker gangs are notorious in Australia for violence and drugs, with more than 1 shootings recorded since the 80s.

The cocaine seizure came as part of a wider investigation into the Comanchero gang, codenamed Operation Tyrrendor, which began last month. /Telegraph/