Two Dutch nationals have been arrested as part of an international investigation into hard drugs smuggling from the Netherlands to Australia, the Dutch public prosecution department said on Tuesday.

In total, 17 people have been arrested. Ten people were arrested in Sydney and five in Dubai in what Australian police say is a ‘huge blow’ to two major international drug syndicates operating in Australia.

The Dutch suspects are a 33-year-old man from Utrecht and a 47-year-old man from Huizen. They were identified after Australian police asked the Dutch authorities to investigate the source of the drugs.

Between 22 May and 18 July, the Dutch police intercepted and seized a total of 998 kilos of MDMA, 116 kilos of cocaine, and 15 kilos of crystal methamphetamine before the narcotics could reach Australia, the public prosecution department said.

Australian police say in total, 1.8 tonnes of MDMA and 136 kilos of cocaine were stopped from reaching Australia.

The Utrecht man is suspected of planning to send 500 kilos of MDMA to Australia, the man from Huizenaar the rest of the drugs.

Cash and hashish were also seized during raids on their homes. According to the Australian media, the Dutch nationals do not face extradition.