Packages of cocaine retrieved by the police off the coast of Byron Bay. Photo Supplied
Update:
Locals have contacted Echonetdaily stating that the police were at Brunswick Heads yesterday (Wednesday) where they confiscated a four wheel drive and boat trailer.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have said that law enforcement agencies will allege that the men were first observed heading towards the mainland in a small craft by ABF and Australian Defence Force (ADF) aerial surveillance assets assigned to Maritime Border Command (MBC) to patrol the ocean off the coast of northern New South Wales. MBC tasked Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Fourcroy to respond. As they were approached by ADV Cape Fourcroy, the men attempted to evade interception, jettisoning items into the sea.
The ADV Cape Fourcroy crew retrieved the items from the sea, which were identified as containing more than 600 kilograms of cocaine and initiated a pursuit of the craft supported by ADF surveillance aircraft. The small craft was later intercepted as a result of MBC surveillance support approximately 40 nautical miles east of Byron Bay, by the specialist members of the Queensland Police Service.
Original story:
AAP
The younger brother of Olympic kayaker Nathan Baggaley is accused of being one of two men who dumped about $210 million worth of cocaine during a sea chase off the northern NSW coast.
Dru Anthony Baggaley, 36, and Anthony Trevor Draper, 53, face potential life sentences if convicted after being arrested following the chase 70 kilometres off Byron Bay on Wednesday.
It’s alleged the pair threw 600 kilograms of cocaine overboard whilst being pursued by a naval vehicle and Queensland police assets.
After a short pursuit the pair were arrested and both faced Southport Magistrates Court on the Gold Coast on Wednesday charged with possessing a commercial quantity of drugs and drug importation.
Lieutenant Commander Ken Brown, who was skippering the ADV Cape Fourcroy during the chase, said his crew had retrieved 30 bags of cocaine from the sea.
‘I was directed to recover the items before resuming pursuit of the particular craft,’ Lt Cmdr Brown said.
‘My crew retrieved the items from the sea which were identified as containing 600 kilograms of cocaine.’
Police believe more arrests may follow as their investigations continue.
Australian Federal Police detective superintendent Andrew Donoghoe said the haul was a significant one.
‘These two men are facing the prospect of life in prison,’ Det Supt Donoghoe said.
‘Importantly our joint efforts have stopped more than 600kg of cocaine from ever reaching Australian shores. That represents approximately three million street hits that will never take place.’
Baggaley and Draper have both been remanded in custody and will reappear in the same court on August 20.
Become a supporter of The Echo
Very interesting: “by the specialist members of the Queensland Police Service.” So how did they get to Brunswick? Maybe by trailed a certain Four-wheel drive and boat trailer.
Did the abandoned Four-wheel drive and boat trailer have Qld number plates?
There are implications if the vehicle was a Qld vehicle.
The Gold Coast is to get a second gambling casino. Just how did the casino came to be legislated needs to be investigated. Gambling and drugs are addictions so just why does the Gold Coast need another casino?