A HONG Kong man was sentenced last week to 12 years’ imprisonment for his part in attempting to import 1.89 tonnes of cocaine into Australia.

Australian Federal Police said the seizure was the largest in Australian history and would have had a value of about $1.3 billion.

A joint Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and NSW Police Force investigation led authorities to intercept a drug-filled vessel off the NSW coast near Newcastle in August 2020.

The three crew members – a Hong Kong man then aged 40 and two Australian men – were arrested and charged with drug importation offences.

The Hong Kong man appeared at the Downing Centre District Court yesterday where he was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of seven years.

The two Australian men appeared at the Downing Centre District Court in October 2021 where they were each sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 10 years.

The men had previously pled guilty to attempting to import a commercial quantity of cocaine.

The vessel used in the illegal venture was seized by the AFP and has since been sold as a Commonwealth forfeited asset.

ABF Commander Susan Drennan said the arrests are a testament to the hard work, skill and dedication of all officers involved.

“This is a significant result for all agencies involved, it goes to show the strength of our law enforcement network who work collaboratively to achieve such tremendous results,” Cmd Drennan said.

“We will relentlessly pursue criminal networks who try to introduce illicit drugs into our society.”

AFP Detective Superintendent Matthew Ciantar said the size of this seizure and the amount of harm it could potentially have caused cannot be understated.

“This multi-agency operation is testament to our combined determination to cause lasting damage to organised crime syndicates targeting the Australian community with their toxic rubbish,” Det Supt Ciantar said.

“A 1.89-tonne shipment is a significant investment for organised crime. Seizing it stops these criminal groups from reaping a monstrous profit, and will cause real and tangible damage to their exploitative and dangerous activities.”

NSW Police state crime command director Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett, said the success of the joint-operation serves as a strong deterrent to criminal syndicates involved in the importation of illicit drugs into NSW.

“This record seizure was testament to the great relationships law enforcement both here and abroad share with one another, along with the common goal of suppressing and dismantling criminal networks intent on causing harm to the community,” Det Ch Supt Bennett said.

“These relationships have never been stronger, and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to combat the threat of serious organised crime.”