An alleged custom-built international drug smuggling boat has been intercepted off Australia in a huge hit to global organised crime.
Six crew members of the MV Raider have now been charged with conspiracy to import a commercial amount of drugs into Australia.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Custom-built boat seized with alleged $500 million cocaine haul
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Federal Police allege the crew had one tonne of cocaine to sell in Australia.
It’s understood the boat had the capacity to carry six tonnes of cocaine.
The 40m vessel first came onto the radar of authorities when it was intercepted off French Polynesia in January. The French navy stopped the vessel and allegedly found 4.8 tonnes of cocaine on board. The drugs were thrown overboard and the crew were sent on their way.
The MV Raider was then met by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the New South Wales Police boat Nemesis in late February when the crew attempted to enter Australian waters.
Police suspected an Australian-based crew operating on behalf of a larger criminal syndicate was looking to meet with the MV Raider to conduct an at-sea transfer within Australia’s Economic Exclusion Zone.
The Raider’s crew was interviewed and discussed their rights to enter the country, before they were turned back from entering an Australian port.
On March 12, 2026, the MV Raider placed a distress call to the Australian authorities after it ran out of critical supplies.
The crew was detained at the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre as unlawful maritime arrivals and an investigation was carried out inside the boat. A subsequent search of the crews phones and electronic devices allegedly found evidence that the crew had drugs onboard.
AFP Commander Brett James said the AFP was alert to organised criminal syndicates attempting to import drugs into Australia in custom built motherships.
“We know that criminals go to extreme lengths, and often risk their own lives, to smuggle drugs into Australia with no regard to the harm they cause,” Commander James said.
“Multiple people have been rescued from the ocean in recent years after hitting trouble while allegedly trying to collect cocaine consignments.
Multiple smuggler hides were allegedly found on the MV Raider. Credit: AFPPolice suspected an Australian-based crew was going to meet with the MV Raider to conduct an at-sea transfer. Credit: AFPThe MV Raider was allegedly custom-built to conceal drug shipments. Credit: AFP
During the comprehensive search of the vessel, officers located what will be alleged are three professionally installed smuggler hides suspected of previously containing up to six tonnes of cocaine.
“The ABF’s digital device examinations allegedly uncovered further criminality, which will be tested and put before the courts,” ABF Commander Rose Cracknel said.
“We know that criminal groups will try to use Australia’s vast coastline to attempt to breach our borders, but criminals should always assume we are watching and ready to take action.
It’s understood the street value of six tonnes of cocaine in Australia is worth between $1.8 billion and $2.4 billion.
The MV Raider is understood to have been custom built for the sole purpose of shipping drugs from Central and South America to anywhere around the world.
The six crew members have been charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of drugs into Australia. They will appear in court today (Monday, March 30).
“These arrests highlight the strengths of our partnerships both in Australia and offshore to disrupt the illicit drug trade,” Commander James added.
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