Australian police seize $98.4m of cocaine shipped from Chile

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian police on Friday said they had seized cocaine shipped from Chile worth up to A$77 million (S$98.4 million), the third global drug syndicate busted in as many weeks.

The 135-kilogram seizure followed a three-month Australian Federal Police investigation and led to the arrest of five men - three Australians, one Italian and one Mexican.

"The Australian Federal Police has seized almost 700 kilograms of illicit drugs in the past several weeks as a result of three separate investigations," Commander Jennifer Hurst said.

"These results should send a clear and lasting message to criminals that police will not rest in the fight against organised crime." Last month, police seized 350 kilograms of cocaine and methamphetamine with a combined estimated street value of up to Aus$237 million, arresting an American and two Canadians.