BY CAMERON TARAGEL
Five Hunter men have been charged by prosecutors over attempting to smuggle more than a tonne of cocaine in May last year.
All five men will face a charge of supplying a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The men will also face a back-up charge of participating in a criminal syndicate and contributing to criminal activity.
On May 8th last year, police boarded a luxury cruiser off the coast of Nambucca Heads where they found 1100 blocks of cocaine, weighing more than a tonne and valued at $623.4 million.
Jacob Malcom and Cooper Hollingworth were arrested on board.
On-shore coordinators, Rodney Hill, Luke Hazell and Chaiwat Thipsing were arrested after attempting to flee the scene.
Four of the men have been granted conditional bail.
The group will next appear in Coffs Harbour Local Court in March.
