Nathan and Dru Baggaley cocaine trial: Skipper’s prison letters revealed

The skipper of the boat used in an alleged $200m cocaine smuggling plot wrote prison letters to Dru Baggaley, saying he had “tricked” him and urging him to keep his mouth shut. READ THE LETTERS

The skipper of the boat used in an alleged bid to smuggle $200m worth of cocaine into Australia wrote a letter to the brother of an Olympic kayaker saying he had “tricked” him into taking part in the alleged attempted importation and urging him to keep his mouth shut or he would die, a jury has heard.

Anthony Trevor Draper, 56, was the skipper of the boat used in an alleged cocaine smuggling bid. Picture: Darren England

Anthony Trevor Draper, 56, a former fisherman from Sydney, conceded during his evidence in the Supreme Court in Brisbane last week during the nine-day trial that he wrote two letters to Dru Baggaley, 39, an oyster farmer and fishmonger from Tweed Heads, while they were both on remand in prison awaiting trial.

In one letter Draper wrote to Dru, he urged him “Don’t talk to the police, these guys will kill us”.

Dru Baggaley.

Nathan Baggaley.

The letters were released to the media today by Justice Ann Lyons, who is presiding over the trial.

Draper has previously pleaded guilty to his role in the alleged cocaine importation plot and agreed to give evidence in this trial against Dru and his brother Nathan, 45, a former Olympic kayaker in return for a three year reduction in sentence.

Dru and Nathan have pleaded not guilty to attempting to import a commercial quantity of cocaine into Australia in Coolangatta and elsewhere between December 16, 2017 and August 2, 2018.

Dru Baggaley allegedly throws packages containing cocaine into the ocean.

Draper testified that Dru recruited him to drive the boat in a plot to smuggle “smoko” or marijuana from a ship to shore and he didn’t know they were picking up cocaine.

But Dru testified that Draper recruited him to buy a high-powered boat and set it up with navigation and communication equipment so he could use it to pick up tobacco.

Dru told the jury that he was never supposed to go to sea, and never agreed to go to sea, but was effectively kidnapped and forced against his will to help Draper when another man was a no-show.

In one of the letters Draper also told Dru he was going to tell police “whatever I have to, to get out of jail and this mess” following their arrest at sea on July 31, 2018.

Draper also tells Dru: “I am thinking about talking to the AFP to get a discount on sentencing. I know you were tricked and you didn’t know it was coke we were picking up”.

“I’m sorry I tricked you, I had no choice, the people told me I couldn’t tell you it wasn’t tobacco,” one letter says.

But during his evidence Draper claimed he wrote the letters while he was “under duress” in prison and a victim of “standover” tactics by other prisoners.

Anthony Draper and Dru Baggaley during an alleged attempt to smuggle cocaine into Australia.

Counsel for Dru Baggaley Mark McCarthy submitted to the jury that the letters reflected the truth of what occurred and that Dru wasn’t planning on getting into the boat that night and he had been tricked into thinking they were picking up tobacco.

Mr McCarthy told the jury that it was likely that Draper never believed that Dru would use his letters in evidence at his trial.

The jury retired to consider their verdict at 11.57am today.

WHAT LETTERS SHOWN TO JURY SAY

LETTER ONE

letters written to Dru Baggaley - Photo Supplied Supreme Court

“Good day mate, Hey mate I’m sorry I said that shit to the AFP on that night we were arrested. I can’t even remember what I really said driving all night and a bit seasick.

“I told them a bunch of bullshit to tell them what they wanted to hear and to try and get myself out of trouble. I am sorry I tricked you.

“I had no choice, the people told me I couldn’t tell you it wasn’t tobacco. I want to fix this up and tell the cops the truth you thought it was tobacco.

“I’m telling you don’t talk to the police these guys will kill us. Let me try talk to them and go from there. I know your (SIC) struggling but be patient and keep your mouth closed ok mate. Hope your (SIC) ok! Dribbsy.

LETTER TWO

letters written to Dru Baggaley – Photo Supplied Supreme Court

“Hey Dru! How are you. Isnt (SIC) this letter with the trolley boys sealed so the screws wont read it. It is now a month gone by since we were arrested.

“I am not handling gaol very well and I have to get out by any means possible. F***! It’s f***ed, how do you do gaol. I’m thinking about talking to the AFP to get a discount on sentencing.

“I know you were tricked and you didn’t know it was coke we were picking up and I feel for you a lot I’m sorry for everything but I cant do gaol anymore.

“My health isn’t good and I’m not coping. I reckon I’m going to tell the AFP whatever I have too (SIC) to get out of gaol and this mess. Its (SIC) f***ed in here.

“Same shit everyday, fights, standover shit and junkies. Can you send me a letter when you can. Hang in there mate. You will be fine. The truth will come out for you in the end. Your mate.