Police Bust Cocaine Collection Group In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Three men are due to face court today (Friday 27 June 2025) charged with conspiring to import 1.5 tonnes of cocaine following a major police operation in the Hunter.

Detectives from Strike Force Blaine say they identified three men acting suspiciously in the Hunter including the purchase of two marine vessels for cash.

Police will allege the actions of the men were consistent with the methods used by catching crews involved with the collection of large quantities of prohibited drugs.

Police say the trio stood to earn $3.4 million between them for their role in collecting the cocaine haul.

Yesterday (Thursday 26 June 2025), officers arrested a 34-year-old man during a vehicle stop at Eleebana, a 23-year-old man at an industrial worksite in Forster and a 24-year-old man at Salamander Bay.

They also seized a commercial fishing boat at Lemon Tree Passage for forensic examination.

All three have been charged with conspiracy to supply a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug as part of a criminal group and refused bail to face Parramatta Local Court today.

 

Police arresting a 34-year-old man at Eleebana

Two Men Charged Over Alleged Drug-Smuggling Incident at the Port of Newcastle

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Two men have been charged over an alleged attempt to retrieve cocaine off a ship in the Port of Newcastle. 

Police allege the two Norwegian nationals, Johan-Martinius Halversen and Jon Birger Karlsen, were seen in the water at the Port at around 4am on Wednesday wearing scuba diving gear. 

It's believed they were attempting to retrieve 82kgs of cocaine off a visiting ship. 

They were arrested at Honeysuckle that afternoon by organised crime squad detectives and federal police. 

Newcastle Bail Court heard yesterday, the pair were a part of a sophisticated international crime syndicate, which both men deny. 

They are facing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and will face local court today. 

Trio charged over cocaine supply at Shoal Bay

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Three people have been charged as part of ongoing investigations into the alleged supply of drugs in Shoal Bay under Strike Force Goondi. 

The strike force was established in February to investigate the alleged drug supply at a licenced premises on Shoal Bay Road.  

Following extensive investigations, about 8.30am on Thursday, two men and a woman were arrested at Nelson Bay Police Station. 

One 42-year-old man was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug (cocaine), while another 42-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman each face one count of the same charge

They were granted strict conditional bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court in August.

Diver found dead alongside Newcastle cocaine haul identified

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The diver found dead, alongside 50 kilograms of cocaine in the Port of Newcastle, has been identified.  

Bruno Borges is a 31-year-old Brazilian national and a professional diver.  

It's believed, he traveled to Australia after being hired by drug smugglers.

His family and friends are now campaigning to get his body back home.   

The search continues for another Brazilian connected to the incident.  

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