Zero, the drug-runners’ boat of choice, listed for sale

The 17-metre sailboat, estimated by the Australian Federal Police to be worth up to $560,000 without its illicit payload on board, was seized in September after it ran aground off the WA coast.

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It was later confiscated under Australian laws, and will be auctioned in December by the Official Trustee in Bankruptcy, a branch of the Australian Financial Security Authority.

“The investigation identified the vessel was involved in the transportation of around 900 kilograms of cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine, which were found on Burton Island, in the Abrolhos Islands group about 60km west of Geraldton, on 3 September 2019,” the ADF said in a statement announcing that Sail Yacht Zero would be sold.

“Operation Shipton Budgee seized the vessel under the Customs Act (1901) and the investigation resulted in the arrest of five men on serious drugs charges.

“The Official Trustee has launched an online auction for the yacht but prospective buyers can view the vessel in Geraldton on November 30 and December 1, before bidding closes on December 10,” it said.

The Zero is described as a 2010 Jeanneau 57 Ds Sun Odyssey, which when new sold for around $560,000. However, this boat is expected to fetch around $90,000 as the new owners will have to fix damage caused to the rudder and keel in the grounding – according to the AFP the vessel sustained some damage when the skipper failed to navigate the WA coastline and struck a reef – sparking the sea search that resulted in the unravelling of the alleged drug smuggling enterprise.

A Youtube video shows the extent of the damage.

According to the boat’s history, Zero is hull number 62 that was delivered new to Florida in the US, but last registered to the Cook Islands, a South Pacific island associated with New Zealand.

The description says the yacht has two forward cabins as well as an aft master cabin, a galley with fridge, freezer, stove, microwave and twin-bowl sink, a navigation station, a Volkswagen TD150 engine, Cummons Onan 9.5kW genset, three solar panels, a water maker, bow thruster, dive compressor and a 3.0-metre tender with a 25hp outboard engine.

The five men arrested in the wake of the drug seizures are next due to face Perth Magistrates Court on January 17 on Commonwealth and state drugs charges.

The charges carry penalties ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment.
The boat is currently in secure storage at 140 Connell Road, Geraldton. It is available for viewing on Saturday November 30 and Sunday December 1 from 10am to 4pm.