AFP snatch 200kg of cocaine hidden inside boat at Balmain

Police received a tip-off from authorities in Europe which led to the arrest of a man near Port Botany where 200kg of cocaine was seized from a fishing boat.

The seizure of 200kg of cocaine packed onto a fishing boat as it sped towards the Sydney coast is linked to a huge drug bust in Europe.

Jake Hurkmans was arrested in the early hours of Thursday when police forced the black aluminium 7.5m outboard powered boat to stop after aerial police surveillance had secretly started tracking the boat when it had left Port Botany.

It is alleged Hurkmans, 27, from Adelaide, had skippered his Surtees Game Fisher boat, which retails for up to $200,000, out to a large container ship, the MSC Joanna, about 14 nautical miles off the city’s southern coast.

Police allege Hurkmans collected 11 plastic tubs packed with 199 blocks of cocaine from the “mothership” and headed back to shore.

Jake Hurkmans.

With police after the interception.

The Saturday Telegraph understands NSW Police got a tip off from authorities in Europe about the container ship that had departed Antwerp, Belgium, and that it may have had drugs on board.

The intelligence came after police in Belgium seized 17 tonnes of cocaine and made 48 arrests in sweeping crackdown on organised crime.

Belgian news outlets reported the encrypted messaging service Sky ECC had been cracked and a billion messages intercepted during the investigation. The Port of Antwerp is used as a launching pad for worldwide drug exportations.

Officers descend on the boat on Thursday. Picture: NSW Police

Police arrested Jake Hurkmans, 27 on the boat.

Once the tip off reached Australia, investigators set out to identify the “daughter ship” that would meet the container ship. It is understood police narrowed the search for the skipper of the boat which would meet the container ship down to four people and placed them under surveillance.

Police found 200kg of cocaine.

He was questioned by officers.

Hurkmans was allegedly spotted taking his boat out from Taren Point, through Port Botany and along the coast off the Royal National Park just before sunrise.

Police allege the cocaine had a street value of $90 million. Hurkmans was charged with drug importation and possession at Central Local Court on Friday.

He did not apply for bail and the matter was adjourned to May 5.

Defence barrister Brian Walker said his client was holding up in custody.

“Like for anyone in custody it’s a traumatic experience but he is doing okay,” he said outside court.

“They are serious charges. The matter is before the court.

“We will let the justice system take its course and go from there.”

Cash found during raid.

Police also carried out raids in Sydney and Adelaide following his arrest and seized $500,000 in cash. The container ship was searched and crew members interviewed.

AFP Eastern Command Investigations commander Kirsty Schofield said the method of a mother ship transferring drugs to a smaller daughter ship offshore was a well-known one.

“Australia is a really lucrative market for drugs and has an insatiable appetite for drugs,” she said on Friday.

“The threat posed by transnational and serious organised crime is real and impacts on the security of Australia and Australians.”

Despite the pandemic forcing border closures and restrictions on travel worldwide, Mrs Schofield said drug importations had continued unabated.

“I would say 2020 was a really busy year for us for import work,” she said.

“I didn’t see the drug trade slow down at all.”

NSW Police State Crime Command director Darren Bennett said it was the third time law enforcement had intercepted a daughter ship carrying drugs offshore since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The cocaine blocks were worth about $230,000 wholesale but would attract two to three times that amount on the street, Mr Bennett said.