A major drug smuggling attempt has been disrupted after Australian police seized approximately 200 kilograms of cocaine from a catamaran operating along the Queensland–New South Wales border, according to a report by 9News.

The vessel was intercepted on April 16 as it entered the Tweed River by officers from the New South Wales Police Marine Area Command. Authorities allege the catamaran had earlier sailed out to sea, switched off its tracking transponder, and collected the drugs before returning toward the coast, as reported by 9News.

Police say the drugs were concealed in black duffel bags onboard, alongside about $100,000 in cash. The vessel was later towed to a secure location where forensic specialists conducted a detailed search, according to 9News.

Investigators believe the operation is linked to an international drug trafficking network involving an outlaw motorcycle gang. The suspected plan was to transport the cocaine into Australian waters using a larger vessel before distributing it to shore via smaller boats, as reported by 9News.

A 41-year-old man from Tweed Heads has been arrested and charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. He appeared in court on April 17, where he was denied bail and remanded in custody. He is expected to return to court on June 12, according to 9News.

Authorities have warned that the seized drugs could have caused significant harm if they had reached communities. Australian Border Force officials stressed that law enforcement agencies remain alert and coordinated in preventing drug trafficking activities, as reported by 9News.

Further investigations are ongoing, and police have indicated that more arrests may follow as they work to identify others involved in the smuggling operation.