Six individuals from Central and South America could face life imprisonment for their alleged plan to smuggle a ton of cocaine into Australia via a vessel intercepted in French Polynesia.
Authorities claim that the MV Raider, the vessel in question, had been altered to include three distinct compartments for concealing drugs and other illegal items, specifically designed to bypass detection while navigating the seas.
“The vessel was specifically crafted for the trafficking of illegal substances,” stated Commander Brett James of the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
“The modifications were intricate and aimed at evading law enforcement scrutiny,” he added.
In January, officials in French Polynesia reportedly halted the 40-meter boat, originally departing from Central America, and confiscated 4.8 tonnes of cocaine.
The vessel was allegedly on a mission to sail to Australia, intending to meet with a team based off the coast of New South Wales.
However, police intercepted the MV Raider about 180 nautical miles off the coast late last month, where the crew was told they would not be granted entry into Australia.
On March 12, the ship’s crew placed a distress call claiming it had mechanical issues and was low on food and water.
It was escorted the next day into Sydney Harbour, where Australian Federal Police raided the boat, while border force officers detained the men as unlawful arrivals and took them to Villawood Detention Centre.
It was during the search that police found the specially built holds, which are suspected to have previously held about six tonnes of cocaine.
While cocaine wasn’t found on the ship, police seized a number of items, including electronic devices, that they claim prove the group was attempting to import a tonne of cocaine into Australia.
Last weekend, police arrested and charged six crew members, five from Honduras and one from Ecuador, with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs.
This carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if the men are found guilty.
The men faced court today, where they didn’t apply for bail.
The ship has been moored in Birchgrove since its arrival into Sydney, but will now be seized by the AFP.
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