Three of ten alleged drug smugglers, who are accused of attempting to import roughly $60 million worth of cocaine into Australia, will be extradited to Victoria, the Hobart Magistrates Court has heard.
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Chinese nationals Ben You Hou, Cheng Gang Wang and Tao Wang will be detained by Tasmanian Corrective Services until March 1, when they will be extradited to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on March 2.
The other seven alleged smugglers will learn their fate in the Hobart Magistrates Court on the same day, when it is determined whether or not further extradition warrants will be issued for them.
On December 16, Tasmania Police took the suspects into custody when they docked in Hobart.
Their 50-metre ship was intercepted by the navy vessel HMAS Adelaide off the Tasmanian coastline on December 12, after the Australian Border Force observed it moving east across the Great Australian Bight.
Once on-board, police discovered 160 kilograms of cocaine.