Man accused of plotting to smuggle military equipment from China to Russia: court

Details of an alleged plot to smuggle military equipment from Russia to China through Australia have been revealed in court.

A Gold Coast businessman plotted to smuggle military equipment to China, passing through Russia and Australia, police allege in court documents.

Kim Bowei Lee, 64, did not appear before Southport Magistrates Court on Monday when his lawyer asked for the matter to return to court in a month.

Mr Lee, who was born in China, and his co-accused Alexander Cher, are both charged with contravening Australia’s Defence Trade Controls Act.

Police allege in court documents Mr Lee “arranged for another person to supply goods listed in Part 1 of the Defence and Strategic Goods List from the Russian Federation to the People’s Republic of China” between January and July 2018.

It is further alleged Mr Lee did not have a permit authorising the alleged arrangement.

During a brief mention at Southport Magistrates Court, Mr Lee’s lawyer asked for the matter to be moved to Brisbane to link up with Mr Cher’s charges.

The court was told Mr Cher’s matter had progressed further than Mr Lee’s.

Mr Lee’s matter will be mentioned again in Brisbane on April 29.

Under his current bail undertaking, Mr Lee cannot leave Australia or Queensland and must report to police twice a week.

Originally published as Man accused of plotting to smuggle military equipment from China to Russia: court