BREAKING! Body Found in Search for Missing Laguna Man

BY OLIVIA DILLON

A body has been located during the search for missing Laguna man John Simpson. 

The 42-year-old was last seen driving on Great North Road at Laguna on Thursday the 13th of April, after it's believed his vehicle broke down on his way home.

When he could not be located or contacted, Hunter Valley Police officers were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.

As part of inquiries, officers with assistance of specialist police resources and SES workers launched a fresh appeal for information and conducted a search operation around the Laguna area on Tuesday. 

It's there they located a body. 

A post mortem examination will be conducted to confirm the identity of the person and the cause of their death.

Investigations by Strike Force Blakely are underway. 

John Simpson

Body Of Diver Found With $20m Worth Of Cocaine At Kooragang

BY IAN CROUCH

Police investigating a scuba-diver found dead on Kooragang Island alongside 50 kilograms of cocaine, are describing the suspected smuggling operation as a professional job. 

The man remains unidentified, despite extensive checks. 

He was found with high-end diving equipment, including a wetsuit and a rebreather. 

Police are exploring the possibility, the drugs were strapped to a vessel which left Argentina a month ago. 

That ship is likely to be able to leave the Port on Tuesday evening, after it was searched and its crew was interviewed. 

But investigators are appealing to the public, with reports an inflatable dinghy and a runabout were seen near the ship on Sunday night. 

Dive shops are also being asked to provide any information, with the possibility the scuba equipment was purchased in Australia.

EARLIER:

A multi-agency investigation is underway after the body of a diver and more than 50kg of cocaine were found in the Hunter River at Kooragang Island.

Emergency services were called to Heron Road at about 9.30am on Monday to find the man unconscious on the shore.

Members of the public and paramedics commenced CPR but he died at the scene.

Several packages of white powder believed to cocaine were found in the immediate area - police estimate it's potential street value is $20 million.

Police divers and Australian Border Force personnel will continue searching the river today as Organised Crime Squad detectives and Australian Federal Police continue investigations.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.

The body of a man and more than 50kg of cocaine has been found at Kooragang