Organised Crime Squad detectives investigating the death of a diver and discovery of more than $20 million of cocaine have arrested a man in North Queensland as he allegedly attempted to flee the country.
Strike Force Groove was established by Organised Crime Squad detectives after the body of a diver and 54kg of cocaine was located at the Port of Newcastle about 9.30am on Monday (9 May 2022).
The investigation has been assisted by officers attached to the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force (ABF), Northern Territory Police (NTPOL) and Queensland Police (QPOL).
Following extensive inquiries, a 62-year-old man was arrested by QPOL and the AFP as he attempted to board a plane to Singapore about 5.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 11 May 2022).
He was taken to Cairns Watch House and charged with Import Large Commercial Quantity of Border Controlled Drug (C’th) and Large Commercial Drug Supply (NSW DM&T).
Organised Crime Squad detectives are travelling to Queensland to seek the man’s extradition to NSW when he appears at Cairns Magistrates Court later today.
Inquiries under Strike Force Groove are ongoing.
Offshore inquiries led by the AFP continue in relation to this matter.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Groove investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
