A Woolshed man, 43, is set to face court today (Thursday, 12 March, 2026) charged after an AFP investigation into a black flight used to smuggle two alleged Australian fugitives to Indonesia.
AFP investigators attached to the North Queensland Joint Organised Crime Taskforce (JOCTF), executed search warrants in Southeast Queensland and Rockhampton yesterday (11 March, 2026), during which the Woolshed man - the owner of a central Queensland aviation company - was arrested.
It is alleged the Woolshed man organised a black flight to smuggle two alleged Australian fugitives to Indonesia.
The AFP commenced their investigation on 17 November, 2025, when Indonesian immigration officials detained four men - two pilots and two passengers - who had arrived via aircraft at Merauke, province of South Papua, Indonesia.
The flight's certificate of clearance listed only the two co-pilots, one from Australia and one from Indonesia.
Inquiries revealed the undeclared passengers as two Sydney men wanted by the NSW Police Force, including one man, 34, who was on bail for kidnapping offences, with conditions to not approach any point of interstate or international departure. The other man, 35, has three outstanding arrest warrants, including for large commercial drug supply and manufacture.
The Australian co-pilot and the two alleged Australian fugitives have been in Indonesian immigration detention since 17 November, 2025, and the aircraft used to transport the men was seized by Indonesian immigration officials.
The AFP investigation identified the Woolshed man as having allegedly coordinated a network of connected charter flights on different planes and with different companies over a week to smuggle the fugitives from NSW to North Queensland and then Indonesia.
The flight carrying the two alleged fugitives commenced in Orange, NSW, on 10 November, 2025, travelling to Cape York. Over the next week, the fugitives were allegedly driven or flown aboard light aircraft and helicopters to various locations in Far North Queensland.
On 17 November, 2025, the alleged fugitives caught a charter flight to Port Stewart and then boarded the black flight, which allegedly operated with its transponder deactivated between Coen and Port Stewart, and then into international waters. Once over international waters, the transponder was reactivated.
The Woolshed man is scheduled to face Ipswich Magistrates Court today (Thursday, 12 March) charged with two counts of people smuggling, contrary to section 73.1(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 10 years' imprisonment.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said the AFP was expanding its reach across North Queensland and the Torres Strait to disrupt the greatest threats to Australia's national security.
"Any criminals seeking to exploit these communities should be warned they face a much stronger presence of law enforcement in this region as the AFP, Queensland Police Service and Australian Border Force build up our North Queensland JOCTF to detect, disrupt and dismantle serious organised crime," Det-Supt Telfer said.
As part of its expanding presence in North Queensland, AFP aviation teams have also started visiting regional airports, including a recent trip to Horn Island to boost its presence on the ground and bolster partnerships with the community.
"The AFP is committed to providing a high-visibility uniformed law enforcement presence in North Queensland and the Torres Strait using a combination of aviation, investigation and national security capabilities," Det-Supt Telfer said.
"We have listened to the concerns of community leaders about serious organised criminals attempting to exploit their pristine region for criminal ventures.
"Black flights attempting to exploit the remoteness of North Queensland can try to fly under the radar by turning off transponders, but every time they land and take off at a remote airstrip, they attract attention.
"We are calling for anyone who sees suspicious activity at their local airport or airstrip to report it to police. Your call could be the key needed to unravel an international people-smuggling operation or illicit drug trafficking ring."
Anyone with information about suspected criminal activity in their community is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
In February, AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced the AFP and Queensland Police Service launch of the North Queensland JOCTF to protect vulnerable communities and Australian sovereignty by targeting serious organised crimes, such as people smuggling and drug trafficking.
