Man accused of involvement in ‘black flight’ drug haul denied bail

Secret phone taps allegedly captured a grandfather being told he could “earn more in a week than your whole life” if he agreed to take part in a $15m ‘black flight’ drug operation.

A drone was used for months to monitor a man allegedly involved in a “black flight” operation to smuggle meth out of PNG before police swooped in to dismantle the drug ring this week, a court has heard.

Details of the sophisticated operation to nab the alleged drug runners emerged in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Thursday when 54-year-old Peter David Payne applied for bail – with his lawyer telling the court the Newcastle grandfather thought he was on a road trip.

A man is arrested by police. Picture: AFP

He was one of five men arrested when Australian Federal Police descended on an air strip at Monto, near Bundaberg in Central Queensland, after they allegedly brought in 50kg of meth from PNG in a small plane flying below the radar in what is known as a “black flight”.

Mr Payne did not enter a plea when he appeared via video link from the Bundaberg watch-house for a bail application on Thursday, March 21 on a charge of importing or exporting commercial quantities of border controlled drugs or plants following the interception of the plane carrying a an estimated $15m worth of meth on March 20, 2023.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Carl Spargo told the court police opposed bail, and revealed officers conducted a surveillance operation on Mr Payne including tapping his telecommunications and observing his movements with a drone since November 2022.

The court heard that co-accused Mark Brian Pracy had discussed a plan on November 16, 2022 with Mr Payne involving hiring a trailer or utility.

Police allege that Mr Pracy told Mr Payne “you’ll earn more in a week than you’ve earnt in your whole life. This is the kind of thing you just say yes to.”

Mr Spargo told the court Mr Payne responded “I’m in.”

On November 21, 2022 police observed Mr Payne leaving his home with a box-trailer attached to his vehicle carrying a 1000 litre tank of fuel, which he subsequently delivered to Mr Pracy at Monto Airport.

Police allege Mr Payne and Mr Pracy travelled through Airlie Beach, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sarina and met with another co-accused, Nathan Bailey, in Gladstone.

The plane was intercepted after entering Queensland from PNG. Picture: AFP

The trio then allegedly travelled to Monto Airport and returned to Gladstone where they took up rental accommodation.

During their stay in Gladstone Mr Payne suffered a suspected stroke related to a pre-existing diabetes condition and was taken to hospital.

The court heard they then travelled to Monto and stayed in the Monto Colonial Motor Inn for three days.

During this stay police allege Mr Pracy said “Pete’s just collapsed on me,” referring to another health episode suffered by Mr Payne.

The court heard on March 20 the trio went to Monto Airport to meet the aircraft carrying co-accused Bernard Alexander and John Horvath.

Police allege that Mr Payne and Mr Pracy then refuelled the aircraft with the fuel that Mr Payne had transported from Newcastle.

Police objected to bail based on factors including the strength of the case, risk of failing to appear at court and risk to his own personal safety due to other criminal elements potentially involved with the drug shipment.

The lawyer for Mr Payne, Justin Geldard, told the court his client was a father of four, a grandfather and a family man who said he believed he was going on a road trip.

Mr Geldard told the court that Mr Payne was not at risk of failing to appear or reoffend and had no relevant criminal history.

He referred to concerns around his client’s safety as mere speculation, and that custody would be detrimental to Mr Payne’s health due to his pre-existing medical conditions.

Mr Geldard made a submission that Mr Payne would return to the family home if granted bail.

Magistrate John McInnes refused bail on the grounds that Mr Payne’s conversations with Mr Pracy indicated that he was in fact aware that he was involved in the plan, although he was probably not a “corporate director.”

Mr McInnes suggested that Mr Payne was pulled into the plan and that his knowledge of the plan increased over time.

Methamphetamines worth $15 million were allegedly found. Picture: AFP

Mr McInnes suggested that Mr Payne was at an unacceptable risk of reoffending, since in such cases there could be a tendency for others possibly involved in the plan to apply pressure to recoup losses.

Mr McInnes also suggested that there was an unacceptable risk of Mr Payne failing to appear at future court dates due to being “associated with a group which were able to obtain a plane.”

Mr Payne, sporting a long white goatee wearing a green ‘Hells Bells’ AC/DC T-shirt, held his head in his hands as Mr McInnes read his decision.

Mr Payne’s case will go before the Bundaberg magistrate again alongside his co-accused later in the year for committal to a higher court.

Mr Spargo told the court that another suspect was arrested in Papua New Guinea on Wednesday in relation to the drug shipment.

Mr Payne will remain in custody.

The court appearance came as the sleepy town of Monto was left reeling from the arrests.

Monto Colonial Motor Inn owner Georgie Dekker said police came into town on Tuesday night before the news came out on Thursday.

“Everyone is talking about it, but no one in the town had any idea,” she said.

Albert Hotel worker Laura said the town had seen an influx of people taking advantage of the great community and affordable housing, so new faces were in and out all the time.

“There’s been a lot of people we don’t know, it’s the new normal,” Laura said.

“Plus people driving through are coming and going all the time.”