A Norwegian diver will spend nearly five years in jail over a 2023 attempt to smuggle 80kg of cocaine into the country attached to the hull of a bulk carrier.
The man, 53, was sentenced yesterday (Wed) to nine years 11 months behind bars by the Newcastle District Court with a non-parole period of four years 11 months.
In March this year, a 35-year-old accomplice was sentenced by the same court to 10 years two months jail (non-parole period of five years nine months).
The men were each charged with possession of illegal drugs and both had pleaded guilty. The cocaine had an estimated street value of $26 million, equal to about 400,000 street-level deals, federal police say.
TIMELINE TO NORWEGIANS’ ARREST
According to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the men flew into Brisbane from Denpasar, Indonesia, on January 17 and 18, 2023.
The Norwegians drove south and bought two Seabobs (underwater scooters) on the Gold Coast as well as a scuba set (Nelson Bay) and tools (Newcastle) along the way.
(Forensic analysis of their phones revealed conversations about retrieving the cocaine from the vessel in an encrypted app group chat titled ‘Finding Nemo’.)
On January 23, NSW Police were tipped off that a bulk carrier from Brazil due to arrive at Newcastle was carrying drugs.
That same day, a witness suspicious about two men using diving equipment and seabobs at Swansea, NSW, reported them to Crime Stoppers and said the seabobs appeared to have a black tow harness with shackles and weights.
When the bulk carrier docked on January 24, Federal and NSW police and Australian Border Force (ABF) officers searched the vessel.
NSW Police divers retrieved six waterproof duffle bags hidden in a section of the hull known as the sea chest. Inside the bags were 82 packages (about 80kg) which proved to contain cocaine.
Early on January 25, 2023, witnesses on a ferry reported seeing two men in the water in Newcastle Harbour.
Police arrested the men that same day and retrieved equipment from the shoreline such as a black climbing belt, diving googles, torches, black flipper, diving bag, bolt cutters, diving gloves, pliers and a pocket knife.
Police also seized diving equipment, electronic devices, receipts and passports from their vehicle.
(Federal police divers later found the seabobs fastened to a pier pylon in the Hunter River at Newcastle.)
AFP Detective Superintendent Peter Fogarty says overseas criminals view Australia as a lucrative market for their drugs.
“(They) will go to great lengths, even risking their own safety, to make a quick buck,” he says.
“Divers hired by criminal syndicates are a cog in the wheel of organised crime and will be pursued and apprehended.”
NSW Police Detective Superintendent Peter Faux said they were able to identify the men with the help of partner agencies.
ABF Superintendent Geoff Quinn describes the Norwegian men’s sentences as a victory for the agencies.
“This court outcome is the result of the incredible work showcased by our ABF officers alongside their counterparts at the AFP and NSW Police,” Supt Quinn said.
SUPPORT SERVICES
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services, call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
Access free 24/7 drug and alcohol counselling online.
For information about drug and alcohol addiction treatment or support, go to the Turning Point website.
