Who will investigate a suspected drug-smuggling vessel that was carrying almost five tonnes of cocaine headed to Australia? A legal grey area has been identified over who will investigate the suspected drug-smuggling vessel loaded with cocaine bound for Australia.
The ship was crewed by 11 Honduran and Ecuadorian nationals. It was intercepted by French armed forces in international waters near French Polynesia in January. The armed forces in French Polynesia (FAPF), the national gendarmerie and the local branch of the anti-narcotics office (OFAST) were involved in the intercept. Further complicating the issue is that the cocaine was being transported on a ship sailing under Togo’s flag.
Police staff posted in the Pacific and members of Taskforce Thunder would seek to work with French Polynesian authorities to identify those linked to the seizure, said Australian Federal Police (AFP) commander Stephen Jay. “I would like to thank the exceptional work of our partners in French Polynesia, who have prevented a significant amount of illicit drugs from reaching Australia,” Jay said. “The harm caused by organized crime syndicates attempting to import illicit drugs into Australia is significant, and extends beyond individual users to a myriad of violent and exploitative crimes.”