Three Australians arrested in Serbia over $500m drug bust
Serbian police have arrested three Australian citizens suspected of being part of an international drug-smuggling group.
The police alleged in a statement issued on Wednesday that the men “are linked to” the discovery of 1280 kilograms of cocaine that was seized last April on a Chinese boat docked in Sydney, Australia.
They said the drugs were worth $500 million.
Police released footage of the arrests that took place in the lobby of a Belgrade hotel.
3 Australian men arrested in Serbia over alleged involvement in international drugs smuggling syndicate - cash & cards seized @sunriseon7 pic.twitter.com/hK8GS5Unyf
— Samantha Brett (@samanthabrett) January 17, 2018
A bag filled with foreign currency banknotes also was shown, and police said the arrests were made during a “money handover”.
A Lebanese citizen was detained and charged with having forged identity documents.
Serbian authorities said the arrests were made in cooperation with Australian police.
The Australian Federal Police have been working with the Serbian authorities for nine months to bring these men into custody.
