A 36-year-old man arrested as a result of an investigation into the seizure of 365 kilograms of cocaine in Western Australia, was expected to face extradition court in Darwin on Thursday.
Aristidis Avlonitis is one of three men that police have been searching for as part of the investigation, after the illicit drugs were found in the water and an abandoned boat, registered under the name of one of the men.
The trio were initially rescued from the ocean off the Albany coast after sending a distress signal on 1 February.
They told police that their boat had capsized while fishing, but WA authorities alerted the Australian Federal Police about the rescue, after their account “appeared inconsistent”.
Days later, a black plastic-wrapped package containing smaller packages of cocaine was found washed ashore near the coastal WA town of Denmark.
Police also retrieved a seven-metre boat overturned off a bay about 45km west of the town, where they allegedly found similar packages, each containing about 40kg of cocaine.
Avlonitis, 36, was located at a rural Darwin home and taken into custody by NT police on Wednesday, after a callout for public assistance to help locate the three men was issued.
Police still want to locate the other two men aged 49 and 45, who are believed to be in WA.
“We are also appealing for anyone else to call us if they have information to help us find the men, or know anything about this drug importation,” AFP acting Commander Graeme Marshall said.
“The interception of this amount of drugs would be a significant blow to a well-resourced syndicate, and prevents millions of dollars of drug profit from flowing back into the group to fund their next criminal venture or lavish lifestyles.”
Avlonitis was expected to appear before the Northern Territory Local Court on Thursday afternoon facing extradition to WA for a charge of importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug.
Police are working with international partners as part of the probe.
How and where the drugs were dropped in the water is still under investigation.
Anyone with information about this matter is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the AFP Investigations Team on (02) 5126 9979, or email: Op-AYR@afp.gov.au
– For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
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