A Far North Queensland man will face Cairns Magistrates Court today (7 August, 2025) charged for his alleged role in a failed attempt to import 110kg of cocaine via the Torres Strait in September last year.
The Yorke Island man, 38, was arrested yesterday (6 August, 2025) on Masig Island in the Torres Strait and charged with one count of possession of a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, contrary to Section 307.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment.
He is the third man charged for the alleged plot to smuggle cocaine into Far North Queensland last year.
On 2 September, 2024, AFP members observed a yellow boat with three men on board land at Loyalty Beach, on Queensland's Cape York Peninsula, from the Torres Strait.
Police observed as one of the men disembarked at the wharf and drove off in a white SUV, before returning a short time later. The three men then allegedly removed six polystyrene boxes from the vessel and loaded them into the vehicle.
Two of the men were arrested as they drove away from the area in the SUV. They were both charged with one count of possession of a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs, and their matters remain before the courts.
The third man left the area in the boat. An AFP investigation spanning almost 12 months identified a man suspected of leaving in the boat. He was located and arrested on Masig Island yesterday (6 August, 2025).
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said this operation showed the tenacity of the AFP to chase down all leads to apprehend anyone suspected of being involved in alleged drug imports.
"This operation yielded immediate results with the apprehension of two alleged offenders in September last year," Det-Supt Telfer said.
"The 38-year-old man arrested yesterday was able to evade arrest in September, but I want to assure criminals the AFP and our partners are relentless in pursuing those who seek to profit from the import and sale of illegal drugs.
"This seizure last year was significant, with the 110kgs seized worth an estimated $35.7 million on the street, and equal to approximately 550,000 street level deals.*
"I want to commend the work of my team in bringing this individual before the courts, and for the tireless work of the AFP and our partners in keeping Australia safe from the scourge of illicit drugs."
