The men, aged between 29 to 63 years, have been charged with serious drug offences and all have been refused bail, NSW Police said. The sting was a result of a 30-month police operation.

Series of arrests

The gang behind the largest cocaine bust in Australian history was described by police as a "robust, resilient and determined syndicate", Fairfax Media reported.

Australian Federal Police acting assistant commissioner Chris Sheehan described the gang as "sophisticated" and a "significant" part of the illicit drug market in Australia's biggest city.

"The criminal syndicate we have dismantled over the past few days was a robust, resilient and determined syndicate who posed an ongoing threat to the Australian community and without the work of our police would still be in action today," Fairfax Media reported.

The AFP displayed some of the 500 kg of cocaine seized in the Christmas Day bust. Kate Geraghty

Sheehan told reporters the syndicate had been captured in a series of arrests involving 100 officers across Australia between December 25-28. Police allege the drugs originated in South America before being shipped across the South Pacific, destined for Australia.

NSW Police Force assistant commissioner Mark Jenkins said the Sydney Fish Markets had no connection with the syndicate other than being a mooring for the trawler, the Dalrymple, which was allegedly involved in collecting the shipment of cocaine this month.


"Police will allege veteran fisherman, fishing company bosses and maritime workers around the country helped the cargo reach shore while several eastern suburbs businessman and former NRL star John Roland Boyd Tobin ensured its distribution in Sydney," the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Fishermen Reuben John Dawe, 41, and Stuart Ayrton, 51, who both studied at the Australian Maritime College, were also arrested over their part in the syndicate, the newspaper said.

Former rugby league player John Tobin (middle row, third from right) was one of the men arrested. Supplied

Police also arrested a local businessman Richard Lipton, 37, an alumnus of one of Sydney's elite private schools, Cranbrook. Tobin, 57, played 125 matches for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters, was one of three members arrested on board the Dalrymple on Christmas night, the newspaper said.

with AAP

Correction: Clarifies that the vessel was seized at Brooklyn, NSW, not in Sydney.