Man Arrested In Sydney Over Lake Macquarie Sexual Assault

BY JARROD MELMETH

A man will face court today charged over allegedly sexually assaulting two young girls in Lake Macquarie.

An investigation into the man was launched by Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad following reports two girls aged 8 and 12 were sexually and indecently assaulted by a man known to them.

With the assistance of the Australian Border Force, the 59-year-old man was arrested at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney's Circular Quay on Monday afternoon.

He was taken to Day Street Police Station where he was charged with two counts of indecent and aggravated sexual assault - victim under 16 years.

Police will allege in court the man sexually and indecently assaulted both girls at a property in the Lake Macquarie area in January this year.

The man was refused bail and is due to appear at Central Local Court today.

Image: Home Affairs.

Newcastle Men Face A Life Sentence Over Massive Cocaine Haul

BY IAN CROUCH

Three Newcastle men accused of trying to import 700 kilograms of cocaine from Tahiti to Australia are facing the prospect of life behind bars.

Musicians Craig Lemke and Kent Jackson along with another man, Dennis Bath are facing drug importation charges over the $245 million haul which was found on a yacht intercepted near Toronto on Wednesday.

It's been revealed Lemke, who allegedly sailed the catamaran from Tahiti, had no idea he was being tracked all the way.

Australian Border Force Acting Assistant Commissioner, James Watson says authorities are always on the lookout for drug smugglers.

"It doesn't matter whether it's one gram or a hundred kilograms or 700 kilograms. Our officers are absolutely determined to work with all of our partners, both onshore and offshore, to detect and disrupt these kind of importations from occurring," he said.

Dennis Bath Was Allegedly On Board The Catamaran When It Was Intercepted On Lake Macquarie

UPDATE $245 Million Cocaine Haul Stopped in Lake Macquarie

BY JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE:

A multi-agency investigation into international drug trafficking by sea has uncovered 700kg of cocaine in a yacht at Lake Macquarie.

Investigations started in August by officers from NSW Police, the State Crime Command's Organised Crime Squad, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to investigate the importation of cocaine by private vessels.

The vessel travelling from the South Pacific had been tracked by the Australian Border Force, the National Gendarmeie, Tahiti as well as NSW Police's Marine Area Command and PolAir.

At about 3pm yesterday afternoon the vessel was intercepted at Toronto.

A 68-year-old man was arrested on board the vessel, a 47-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Warners Bay and a 63-year-old man was arrested at a home in Islington - all three were charged with import a commercial quantity of border controlled drugs and formally refused bail in Newcastle Local Court this morning.

They will all appear back in the same court on January 30.

Mulitple search warrants were carried out across Lake Macquarie as well.

The yacht is still being examined and dismantled at Toronto this afternoon by specialist forensic officers.

The estimated street value of the haul is $245 million.

700kg of cocaine that was found in the hull of the yacht. Image supplied.

Officers dismantling the yacht. Image supplied.

EARLIER:

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Detectives and forensic officers are working to get a massive haul of cocaine off a yacht in Lake Macquarie.

At least half a tonne of cocaine bound for Australia from Tahiti was intercepted on a yacht at Toronto yesterday.

A multi-agency investigation comprising officers from the NSW Police Force, Federal Police, the Organised Crime Squad, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian Border Force began in August, targeting the importation of cocaine by private vessels.

As a result of inquiries, officers commenced a joint resolution operation in Lake Macquarie on Wednesday, intercepting a yacht at Toronto.

It's alleged the massive drug haul was found concealed in the hull of the vessel.

The drugs have an estimated street value of at least $107 million.

Three men, a 47, 63 and a 68-year-old were arrested and charged over the alleged importation - they've been formally refused bail in Newcastle Local Court today.

The Yacht Which Police Alleged Was Being Used To Import To Import Cocaine To Australia Image supplied

Massive Cocaine Haul Found On Yacht In Lake Mcquarie

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Detectives and forensic officers are working to get a massive haul of cocaine off a yacht in Lake Macquarie.

At least half a tonne of cocaine bound for Australia from Tahiti was intercepted on a yacht at Toronto yesterday.

A multi-agency investigation comprising officers from the NSW Police Force, Federal Police, the Organised Crime Squad, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian Border Force began in August, targeting the importation of cocaine by private vessels.

As a result of inquiries, officers commenced a joint resolution operation in Lake Macquarie on Wednesday, intercepting a yacht at Toronto.

It's alleged the massive drug haul was found concealed in the hull of the vessel.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $245 million.

Three men, a 47, 63 and a 68-year-old were arrested and charged over the alleged importation - they've been formally refused bail in Newcastle Local Court today.

The Yacht Which Police Alleged Was Being Used To Import To Import Cocaine To Australia

 Picture: Supplied

One Of Three People Arrested Accused Of Importing Half A Tonne Of Cocaine Picture: Supplied