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GERALDTON, Western Australia – A British and a French man have been arrested and around one tonne of illicit drugs including cocaine and ecstasy with a street value of around $1 billion has been seized in a major police operation off the West Australian coast.

The drama began on Monday when an alert was received about a stricken yacht adrift near the Geraldton coast, 424km north of the West Australian capital, Perth, amidst reports from the public about the unusual movements of its crew.

About 4:00pm on Monday, community members reported that the 15 metre yacht named “Zero” had drifted on to reef near Stick Island, which is located in the Abrolhos Islands group about 60km west of Geraldton.

The report sparked a sea search and an investigation which resulted in the arrest of the two men on Burton Island on Tuesday afternoon. About 40 bags containing up to one tonne of suspected illicit drugs was located, with preliminary tests indicating the haul includes cocaine and ecstasy.

“The fishing community of Geraldton played a significant role in this detection and seizure and maintained regular contact with police as this matter unfolded,” WA Police Force Commissioner Chris Dawson said Thursday.

“These people have helped protect Western Australia’s borders on this occasion and we are grateful for their efforts.”

Geraldton Police, local volunteer marine search and rescue, and Fisheries Officers from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development also played a key role in the response to the incident.

The investigation, dubbed Operation Shipton, involves WA Police Force, the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, Home Affairs, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and AUSTRAC.

“We have also engaged with our international law enforcement partners, including the National Crime Agency and the Drug Enforcement Administration, as both accused men are foreign nationals and the movements of the yacht are of interest to us,”Dawson said. He confirmed police believe the yacht was making its way across the Indian Ocean.

The French man, Antoine Dicenta, aged 51, and the British national Graham Kurt Palmer, who is 34, have been charged with Importation of a Commercial Quantity of Border Controlled Drugs. They appeared in the Geraldton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and were remanded in custody to appear again at on 20 September.

Australian Federal Police State Manager for Western Australia Commander Greg Harrigan, said the team effort had spared the Australian community the damaging effects of these illicit drugs.

“This seizure shows the power of the community and police agencies, both at home and overseas, working together to stop illicit drugs from reaching our shores,” he said Thursday. “This is an attack on our society that is destroying individuals, families and whole communities.”

“If you buy or use illicit drugs, know that you are supporting organised crime groups that profit from human suffering, it is not worth risking your own life with these dangerous drugs,” Commander Harrigan said.

“For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.”

The Australian Border Force’s Regional Commander for Western Australia, Rod O’Donnell, said the detection highlighted the valuable role the community plays in partnering with law enforcement agencies in protecting the border.

“It also demonstrates the ability of Australia’s State and Federal law enforcement agencies to collaborate and respond quickly and effectively to suspicious incidents, even in remote locations,” he said Thursday.

“Illicit drugs perpetuate misery across the breadth of the Australian community, and the more we can collectively do to reduce supply the better off our nation will be.”

Police Minister Michelle Roberts paid tribute to the investigating officers.

“Our police have done another outstanding job stopping illicit drugs from reaching our streets,” she said Thursday.

“Preventing this massive haul of drugs entering our state is a huge win for the Western Australia Police Force and for everyone in WA.”

“Drugs like these tear families apart and are a key driver of shocking and violent crimes,” the minister said.

(Photo credit: ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Laura Meachim).