<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A NSW man has been charged over an alleged drug importation plot after 200 kilograms of cocaine was unearthed aboard a catamaran sailing near the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/queensland" rel="" target="" title="Queensland"><span>Queensland</span></a><span>-</span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span> border.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The catamaran had sailed from the Tweed River on April 14, travelling north before turning its transponder off, police said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police will allege the vessel picked up the drugs at sea before sailing back towards the coast and turning its transponder back on as it returned to the Tweed River.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/federal-politics-instant-tax-deduction-to-be-enshrined-in-law-jim-chalmers/dba7a95c-069c-43bd-92c7-8be822bb4475" target="_blank"><strong><span>Millions of Australians offered $1000 instant tax deduction under proposed law</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It was intercepted by NSWPF Marine Area Command operatives on April 16 as it sailed into the Tweed River, just south of the Queensland border.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The catamaran was towed to a secure location, where it was searched and examined by specialist forensic officers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police will allege about 200kg of cocaine was hidden inside black duffel bags on board the catamaran along with $100,000 in cash.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/police-unearth-200-kilograms-of-cocaine-aboard-catamaran-sailing-along-aussie-river/a58651de-d74d-49a3-9df0-7871a3d03f77" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police discovered the stash as part of an investigation into an alleged international plot by a bikie syndicate to sail cocaine into Australian waters before using smaller vessels to bring the drugs to shore.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australian Border Force Superintendent Jim Ley warned would-be criminals that border and law enforcement agencies were working together to protect the community.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"This amount of cocaine would have meant more addiction, more crime, and more violence in our communities.," Ley said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our message to organised crime is clear: we are watching, we are working together, and we will stop anyone who tries to bring illicit drugs into Australia."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/eight-children-killed-in-louisiana-mass-shooting/27d4d5df-0a06-45f2-9bc7-13ac49876565" target="_blank"><strong><span>Eight children killed during mass shooting in Louisiana</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The discovery triggered investigators to execute multiple search warrants across southeast Queensland and northern NSW. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police are not ruling out further arrests as they work to determine who else was involved in importing the drugs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A Tweed Heads man, 41, was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He was faced the NSW Bail Division Court on April 17, where he was formally refused bail and remanded to appear before the same court on June 12.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If found guilty, the man could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div 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