Troy Kellett: Man’s shipping container death linked to drug containment

A man who plunged to his death in a fall from a shipping container in Adelaide was allegedly trying to find a South American cocaine haul.

Troy Kellett fell and died while scaling containers in Outer Harbour. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Police believe Troy Kellett, who plunged to his death while scaling a shipping container, was looking for a drug consignment that had travelled from South America.

The Herald Sun understands police have now identified the specific container the Altona North man was searching for and believe it was sent from South America to New Zealand before arriving in South Australia.

It is believed the listed recipient of the container is a man in the fruit and vegetable business.

Police are working on the theory Mr Kellett was intending to bring the haul of cocaine back to Melbourne.

The 43-year-old owner of Kellett Australia Transport Services in Altona North died after scaling stacked shipping containers at Outer Harbor in Adelaide using a grappling hook and a rope, and falling after midnight on July 9.

Troy Kellett died after scaling stacked shipping containers at Outer Harbor in Adelaide. Picture: Keryn Stevens

South Australia’s Serious Organised Crime Branch detectives and heavily armed officers from its tactical response unit witnessed the fall as they were watching the site after a tip-off about drugs being stored at the cargo depot.

Police were quickly on scene to render first aid but Mr Kellett could not be saved.

Officers did arrest two other men – Renalnto Bylo, 33, and Dasmir Kulafovski, 47 – at the scene and they were later charged

Lawyers for Mr Bylo indicated he would not be fighting six charges over firearms and unlawfully being on the premises.

Defence for Mr Kulafovski, however, said he would be contesting his charges of unlawfully being on the premises and giving false details to police.

Mr Kellett fell several metres from a shipping container. Picture: Supplied

The Herald Sun previously revealed Mr Kellett received almost $8m in his bank account two days before his death, from the sale of the land of his business.

He was due to receive another $8m the same day for the sale of business assets but did not complete the paperwork because he was already travelling to South Australia, it is believed.

It was also revealed his business was broken into three times in the days after his death, but not one crime was reported to Victoria Police.

Friends and colleagues have also described how Mr Kellett began socialising with different people in the previous six months and was acting strangely.

In the week before his death, he phoned in sick twice and missed the funeral of a very close friend.

Mr Kellett said he was selling his business so he could retire and travel around Australia.

South Australian police have remained silent on his death, only confirming it remains an active investigation and that they are preparing a report for the coroner.

“We have no update to provide at this time,” a spokeswoman said. “The matter is still under investigation.”

Originally published as Troy Kellett: Man’s shipping container death linked to drug containment