Inside the Al Kuwait Plot: How a Livestock Carrier Allegedly Dropped Half a Tonne of Cocaine at Sea

A 44-year-old Myaree man faces life imprisonment after allegedly participating in a high-stakes maritime drug retrieval operation.

The arrest of a 44-year-old Myaree man in Mariginiup marks a significant turning point in the investigation into the 525kg cocaine haul found floating off the coast of Lancelin in late 2025. This sixth individual to be charged is alleged to have been part of a local syndicate that coordinated the retrieval of the drugs using encrypted messaging applications. Police will allege that the Myaree man, alongside a 52-year-old Perth accomplice, launched a small boat from the Two Rocks Marina on November 2, 2025, in an attempt to locate the illicit shipment.

This investigation remains active, and authorities have made it clear that they are tracking every individual involved in the logistics of the importation. Detective Inspector Matt Taylor of the WA JOCTF emphasized the commitment of law enforcement, stating, "The WA JOCTF is committed to identifying everyone involved in the plot as part of our commitment to protecting the Australian community from the harm caused by illicit drugs." He further noted that the pressure on the syndicate is far from over: "This investigation remains ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out."

The sophisticated nature of the smuggling attempt centered on the international livestock carrier Al Kuwait. Investigators allege that the vessel’s 46-year-old Croatian chief officer facilitated the drop of $170 million worth of cocaine by tampering with ship equipment and obstructing security measures. Forensic evidence suggests that rails on the ship were removed to allow the offloading of packages, and CCTV cameras were intentionally covered during the drop. The drugs were then tethered to blue flotation drums and left at sea for retrieval.

Addressing the broader impact of such large-scale importations, Detective Inspector Matt Taylor highlighted the societal toll, saying, "Drug use makes our communities less safe and put more pressure on our health systems – in 2022-23 there were 985 cocaine-related hospitalizations nationally, more than two each day on average." He warned organized crime groups that their efforts would not go unchecked: "Greedy organized crime syndicates are relentless in their attempts to smuggle illicit commodities into Australia, but Commonwealth and State law enforcement and intelligence agencies are dedicated to stopping them profiting at our community's expense."

The successful dismantling of this syndicate was the result of a coordinated effort between the Australian Federal Police (AFP), WA Police, Australian Border Force (ABF), and several intelligence agencies. The recent extradition of a 22-year-old man from Sydney to Perth highlighted the interstate cooperation required to crack the case. Detective Inspector Ben Moltran praised the joint efforts, stating, "The WA JOCTF had been working tirelessly to track down the 22-year-old man and was very appreciative of the support provided by NSW Police to locate him. NSW Police's local intelligence and assistance were invaluable for ensuring we could take this man into custody without incident and put him before the courts."

Assistant Commissioner Pryce Scanlan of the AFP reiterated the force's stance on maritime trafficking, noting that "the WA JOCTF continues to harness the combined might of its partner agencies to disrupt organized crime groups causing harm in Australian communities." He also pointed out the inherent dangers of the drug trade, saying, "There is violence and exploitation throughout the illicit drug supply chain." Adding to this sentiment, WA Police Assistant Commissioner Longhorn remarked, "The successful recovery of these drugs is the result of a complex, multi-agency operation and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting the community from the impact of illicit substances. We are pleased that more than 500 kilograms of cocaine have been taken out of the hands of a criminal network."

All rights belong to their respective owners. This article contains references and insights based on publicly available information and sources. We do not claim ownership over any third party content mentioned.