Have you seen this boat? Police seek help to shut down drug ring
Police reckon this boat may have been involved in international drug smuggling. Have you seen it?Melbourne’s boating community has been asked to help shut down an alleged international drug smuggling ring with police appealing to the public to help crack the case.
The Australian Federal Police today issued an appeal to anyone who may have seen the distinctive 5.2-metre centre console near the Newport boat ramp in inner Melbourne – colloquially known as The Warmies – on September 8, 2022.
Police allege the boat may have been used as part of an international drug-trafficking ring.
The claim relates to a 32-year-old Australian national who was arrested in Dunedin, New Zealand in September last year after police seized more than 90kg of cocaine from a cargo boat, the Spirit of Auckland, that had travelled from South America via the US and Australia.
According to police, the Victorian man was scuba diving to retrieve the drugs. He has been charged with offences relating to the alleged attempted importation of cocaine and will face a NZ court in March.
Victorian link
However, police are now keen to speak with people who were on a boat seen near the cargo ship while it was stopped in Victoria. According to the AFP, they would like to find out if the people on the boat “conducted reconnaissance for the syndicate to try to identify any law enforcement interest”.
“The 5.2-metre boat had a distinctive fish skeleton sticker on its body and a black and white centre console,” the AFP said.
“The AFP is now seeking the public’s help to identify the movements, pictured in footage, of this vessel and information about the people onboard.
“Police working together across borders urge anyone with information to come forward.”
The AFP has released three images of the boat in the hope that they will jog people's memories.
Information can be given to police, anonymously if needed, via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the crimestoppers.com.au website.
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