Two men have been charged after a quantity of cocaine was found stuck to the bottom of a ship in Newcastle.
Key points:
- The ship is still docked in GrainCorp’s terminal at Newcastle
- Port workers say it arrived from China on Tuesday under police escort
- The matter is being investigated jointly by the AFP and NSW State Crime Command
Australian Federal Police have told the ABC the men have been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
Dockside sources told the ABC a quantity of the drug was allegedly attached to the hull of the Cyprus-flagged bulk carrier Stalo.
The AFP has confirmed that the ship remains docked at GrainCorp’s Carrington terminal in Newcastle.
Port workers say it arrived from China on Tuesday under police escort.
GrainCorp and Australian Border Force have been contacted for comment.
The Port of Newcastle says it cannot comment as the matter is being dealt with by authorities.
The matter is being investigated jointly by the AFP and NSW State Crime Command.
In a statement the AFP says inquiries into this matter are ongoing.
It says further details will be provided when it is appropriate to do so.
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