Alleged Newcastle cocaine diver may have been killed by crime syndicate over botched import

International authorities have joined the search for a Brazilian national who allegedly fled Newcastle port with millions of dollars in cocaine — but there are fears he could already be dead.

A Brazilian diver wanted over his alleged involvement in a failed importation of cocaine through Newcastle may have been killed by a criminal syndicate to stop him talking, police sources claim.

Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva, 31, allegedly fled the Port of Newcastle with millions of dollars in cocaine in May and left his fellow countryman Bruno Borges for dead, when he failed to return to the surface.

Borges’ body and 50kg of cocaine were found floating in the water, alerting authorities to the importation.

The manhunt for Da Silva has now led to Interpol and other international authorities being alerted, but The Daily Telegraph can reveal police sources believe he may not even still be alive.

“He’s probably still in Australia, but whether he’s still alive is the real question,” a source said.

Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva. Picture: Supplied

Bruno Borges was found dead. Picture: LinkedIn

“If you’re a decent criminal group and you’ve had arrests, you wouldn’t leave loose ends hanging. There’s a good chance they’ve dealt with him before he could get caught and talk to us – that’s how ruthless they are.”

Port workers spotted Borges floating in the water and called an ambulance, with paramedics unsuccessfully trying to perform CPR on him.

Port workers found Borges and cocaine blocks floating in the water, leading to a major NSW Police investigation. Picture: Peter Lorimer

A waterproof sack of cocaine was found nearby and NSW Police began a major investigation.

Investigators were quick to make breakthroughs in their case, arresting businessman James Blake Blee and charging him over his alleged role in the drug syndicate on May 11 – just two days after the body of Borges was found floating.

Blee was arrested in Cairns in possession of thousands of dollars in cash and a one-way ticket to Singapore, and remains before the courts.

It is believed Borges died after complications with his diving equipment as he tried to retrieve the blocks of cocaine from the “sea chest” – a part of the ship that sucks up water inside to be used for cooling – from the bulk carrier Areti. GR.

The ship began its journey to Australia in Argentina.

Police had previously said they allege the divers were part of a “well drilled professional group, comfortable doing what they were doing”.