An international covert operation has prevented a record 2.4 tonnes of cocaine worth one billion dollars from entering WA. The operation resulted in the arrest of 12 people, with the cocaine linked to a Mexican drug cartel.

The investigation, dubbed Operation Beech, was a joint effort between WA Police Force Transnational Serious and Organised Crime Squad (TSOC), the Sydney Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and with assistance from other state policing jurisdictions.

Operation Beech commenced in November after 2.4 tonnes of cocaine that was destined for Australia was intercepted by the DEA off the South American coastline.

This provided an opportunity for WA Police to substitute the cargo using an inert substance and packaging identical to that used by the cartel.

Watch the video to see how it unfolded.

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