Pubdate: Fri, 02 Jun 2000
Source: Illawarra Mercury (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 Illawarra Newspapers
Contact:  http://mercury.illnews.com.au/

AUSSIE ARRESTED IN $5M US DRUG BUST

An Australian citizen has been arrested in Florida on charges relating
to the importation of 580kg of cannabis to the United States.

Justice Minister Amanda Vanstone said the arrest was the result of
cooperation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian
Customs Service and US law enforcement agencies.

Senator Vanstone said the 37-year-old Queensland man travelled to
Florida and was placed under surveillance by US authorities at the
request of the AFP.

"On 30 May 2000, the vessel Samba was intercepted near Fort
Lauderdale, Florida," she said.

"A search of the vessel was conducted and approximately $A5million of
compressed cannabis, believed to have originated from the Bahamas, was
located in a concealed compartment."

Sen Vanstone said the Australian man was arrested, along with a
48-year-old US citizen.

"The investigation also revealed a number of suspicious financial
transactions, resulting in the Australian Federal Police executing a
search warrant in Queensland and seizing a number of documents," she
said.

The AFP was continuing to assist in the ongoing investigation into the
men.

"The success of this investigation highlights the high level of
cooperation between the Australian Federal Police, Australian Customs
Service and US law enforcement," Sen Vanstone said.
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