Two men from Norway have been sentenced to prison in New South Wales for attempting to retrieve 80kg of cocaine that was smuggled inside a ship’s hull. The incident unfolded after NSW Police received a tip-off about a bulk carrier arriving from Brazil on January 23, 2023, believed to be transporting illicit drugs concealed on the vessel.
On the same day, a witness reported seeing two men with diving gear at Swansea, leading investigators to suspect their involvement in the drug trafficking scheme. When the carrier docked in Newcastle the following day, it was boarded by federal and NSW police, as well as Australian Border Force officers, who discovered six waterproof duffel bags hidden in the hull. The contents of the bags tested positive for cocaine.
On January 25, more tips from the public led to the identification of two men in the harbor. Upon their return to shore, police apprehended them and found various diving equipment and tools in their vehicle, including passports. The investigation revealed that the pair had entered Australia from Denpasar, Indonesia, prior to the event and had purchased expensive diving equipment, suggesting premeditated planning. Notably, their phones contained discussions about recovering the cocaine using an encrypted messaging app named “Finding Nemo.”
Following legal proceedings, the men pleaded guilty to attempting to import a significant quantity of cocaine. The Australian Federal Police estimated the value of the cocaine at around $26 million, equivalent to approximately 400,000 street-level deals. A 53-year-old man received a sentence of nine years and 11 months, with a minimum non-parole period of four years and 11 months. Meanwhile, a 35-year-old man was sentenced earlier in the year to ten years and two months, with a non-parole period of five years and nine months.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to combat drug trafficking and underscores the severe penalties imposed on individuals involved in such criminal activities in Australia.