Three Canadians Caught in $30 Million Drug Bust on Cruise Ship in Australia.
The trio arrived in Sydney on Sunday aboard the Sea Princess, after starting their journey in Northhampton, England, with the cruise liner stopping at several South American countries along the way.
‘Certainly for Australia it’s the biggest narcotics seizure off a cruise vessel coming into Australia,’ Australian Border Force regional commander Tim Fitzgerald told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
‘This is the biggest seizure of narcotics through a passenger stream, so either through the airport or cruise ships, this 95kg of cocaine is the largest seizure we’ve seen in Australia.’
The hefty haul of cocaine, which authorities estimate could be worth around $31 million, was allegedly discovered inside locked suitcases in two vessel cabins.
Andre Tamine, 63, Isabelle Lagace, 28, and Melina Roberce, 22, did not apply for bail at the Central Local Court on Monday and it was formally refused.
The trio was charged with importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug after police and sniffer dogs searched the vessel when it berthed in Sydney.
They will remain in custody until their next court appearance on October 26.
Laura F. Nixon
