'Huge seal' helps cops catch fleeing suspects in $687M drug bust, Australian police say
Two men accused of transporting drugs worth $687 million were arrested after a seal thwarted their getaway attempt, authorities in Australia said.
Police responded to reports of a nearly 50-foot yacht named "Zero" that appeared to have drifted onto a reef near an island off western Australia last week. When rescuers searched the "apparently stricken" yacht, they found a dinghy missing, which prompted fears that the crew was in trouble, Australian wire service Australian Associated Press reported.
A crayfisherman on Burton Island spotted someone duck down in the bushes to hide from the planes searching for the missing crew members, raising suspicions. Geraldton Volunteer Marine Rescue Service vice commander Damien Healy told Australian radio broadcaster ABC News that when police arrived on the island, the men made a run for their boat but were stopped by a "big, huge seal."
"They woke it up and it jumped up with its big chest out and bellowed at them," Healy told the station. "The guys basically had the choice of going through the seal or getting arrested, and they ended up choosing getting arrested."
Watch: He chases, wrestles seals to save their lives
Cape Cod: Sharks have multiplied off Cape Cod beaches, devouring gray seals and putting swimmers on edge
The Western Australian Police Force found 40 bags of illicit drugs weighing 1.1 tons "half covered in seaweed," according to the Australian Associated Press. Preliminary tests indicated the bags contained cocaine and ecstasy.
A 51-year-old French national and a 34-year-old British national were charged with drug trafficking and will appear before the Geraldton Magistrate's Court on Sept. 20.
“The fishing community of Geraldton played a significant role in this detection and seizure and maintained regular contact with police as this matter unfolded,” WA Police Force Commissioner Chris Dawson said in a statement. “These people have helped protect Western Australia’s borders on this occasion and we are grateful for their efforts.”
Since the initial bust, three more men have been arrested and charged with conspiring and attempting to possess the drugs with intent to sell or supply. A 45-year-old United States national and a 35-year-old male United Kingdom national were arrested in Perth, Australia, and a 50-year-old man from New South Wales was arrested at Perth Airport, police said Thursday.
Brad Royce, State Crime Command Assistant Commissioner, said authorities are continuing to learn more about where the drugs came from and who was involved.
"The sheer size and nature of this seizure clearly indicates the involvement of an established criminal network," Royce said. “The arrests yesterday represent a significant development in the investigation. There is still a lot more work to be done and our efforts will continue as we work our way towards the more senior members of the criminal network."
Follow N'dea Yancey-Bragg on Twitter: @NdeaYanceyBragg