A former lifeguard has faced court today, accused of smuggling more than $150 million worth of cocaine into Queensland. Rhys Ferszt, 35, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court, charged with importing 140kg of the drug from the United States. He was arrested after raids on his Gold Coast home in November. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Cocaine found hidden in boat engines at Brisbane port An investigation began after Australian Border Force (ABF) officers found cocaine in a large number of plastic-wrapped blocks inside two wooden-crated marine engines in a container that arrived in Brisbane from California on October 28, 2024. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) replaced the drugs with an “inert substance” in the engines. Plastic-wrapped packages of cocaine concealed inside boat engines, seized during a major smuggling operation. Credit: AFP Cocaine, hidden in plastic-wrapped packages inside boat engines, was seized during a police operation after arriving in Brisbane from the US. Credit: AFP Drugs tracked across Queensland The shipment was tracked to a Mount Nathan property on November 14, police said. The next day, the contents were moved to Wongawallan. On November 17, AFP officers executed search warrants at his Burleigh Heads home, as well as the properties in Mount Nathan and Wongawallan, seizing marine engines, crates, a forklift, mobile phones, and power tools. Ferszt is accused of attempting to retrieve the substituted substance, believing it was cocaine. Ferszt could face life sentence The 35-year-old has been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported drug — a charge that carries a potential life sentence. Left: Ferszt is accused of being involved in a major cocaine smuggling operation. Right: The wooden crate containing wrapped boat engines used to conceal the drugs. Credit: 7NEWS/AFP He did not apply for bail and will return to court next month. “Criminal syndicates will hide these hideous illicit drugs in all types of containers to smuggle them into our country and circulate them throughout our communities,” AFP acting commander Adrian Telfer said. “They prioritise profits over people’s lives and have zero regard for the pain and suffering they cause.”