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A catamaran that embarked from the Tweed River on April 14 faced scrutiny after authorities revealed it had turned off its transponder while journeying north, according to police reports.
Investigators suspect the vessel retrieved a shipment of drugs at sea before making its way back to the mainland. The transponder was reactivated as the catamaran approached the Tweed River, police stated.
The New South Wales Police Force Marine Area Command intercepted the boat on April 16 as it navigated into the Tweed River, near the Queensland border.
After the interception, the catamaran was towed to a secure site where it underwent a thorough search and forensic examination by specialists.
Authorities allege that the search unveiled approximately 200 kilograms of cocaine concealed in black duffel bags aboard the vessel, alongside $100,000 in cash.
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.
Australian Border Force Superintendent Jim Ley warned would-be criminals that border and law enforcement agencies were working together to protect the community.
“This amount of cocaine would have meant more addiction, more crime, and more violence in our communities.,” Ley said.
“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.”
The discovery triggered investigators to execute multiple search warrants across southeast Queensland and northern NSW. 
Police are not ruling out further arrests as they work to determine who else was involved in importing the drugs.
A Tweed Heads man, 41, was charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
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.
If found guilty, the man could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
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