Lochlan Duncan, Joshua Phillips charged in relation to cocaine smuggling plot

Two Central Coast men face the possibility of life in jail after having been charged with drug importation offences following a joint AFP and NSW Police investigation.

Two men face the possibility of life in jail after having been charged with drug importation offences following a joint AFP and NSW Police investigation.

Lochlan Duncan, 23, of Narara, has been charged with possessing a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely cocaine, while Joshua James Phillips, 34, of Hardy’s Bay, have been charged with unlawfully importing a border controlled drug, namely cocaine.

A Multi Agency Strike Team (MAST) investigation began in January following intelligence provided by a foreign law enforcement agency about a drug trafficking syndicate allegedly using trusted insiders to conceal quantities of cocaine on international commercial flights destined for Australia.

On March 17, Australian Border Force (ABF) officers searched a commercial international flight and located six one-kilogram packages of cocaine (6kg in total), wrapped in duct tape and hidden on the aircraft.

During Duncan’s bail application at the Gosford Local Court, the court heard that police had substituted the contents after discovering the drugs.

Lochlan Duncan, 23, from the Central Coast has been charged with attempting to possess a commercial quantity of an unlawfully imported border controlled drug, namely cocaine. Picture: Supplied

Police will allege that on March 19, Duncan picked up the consignment from Parramatta Park before travelling to Gosford.

Officers then waited for the packages to be collected, before surveilling Duncan to the Central Coast where he was arrested.

Duncan applied for bail at Gosford Local Court. Picture: Supplied

Duncan allegedly told officers the suitcase contained plaster.

MAST investigators will allege he had opened the suitcase and handled the substitute material.

Magistrate Kirralee Perry said that based on the fact sheet, the prosecution had a very strong case.

Duncan’s lawyer, however, submitted that the prosecution did not have a strong case.

“In relation to an offence of this type, the prosecution need to establish that the drug itself was unlawfully imported, that he had possession of it, and that he was at least reckless as to whether it was a border-controlled drug,” the lawyer said.

The court heard the prosecution had a strong case. Picture: Supplied

Duncan’s lawyer also told the court that the facts were somewhat “scant” at this stage.

“He turns up, he collects the parcel, and then he’s later located at Gosford. No doubt, it seems from the statement of facts established by the prosecution that he collected the item.

“The issue is this: there is nothing in the statement of facts about surveillance being conducted on Duncan prior to the dead drop, or that he had any communication with a person who told him it was an imported substance.”

Duncan will return to court in July. Picture: Supplied

Duncan’s lawyer told the court that the prosecution case was not “very strong”.

The court heard that surveillance evidence, forensic analysis and a download of Duncan’s phone would likely be ready for the next court appearance.

Magistrate Perry refused bail and Duncan will appear in court on July 11.

Phillips was stopped by highway patrol near Kempsey on March 27, 2025.

MAST will allege the 34-year-old man was the Australian-based organiser of the failed drug importation.

He first appeared at Taree Local Court on March 27, 2025 where he was remanded in custody.

He is expected to appear at Gosford Local Court on May 30, 2025.

Duncan’s matter was heard at Gosford Local Court.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said the MAST was committed to identifying serious criminals who used trusted insiders to enable the flow of illegal drugs, such as cocaine, into NSW and Australia.

“Criminals are motivated by greed and will use any means to import harmful drugs into Australia to make a profit, at the expense of Australians and their health,” Assistant Commissioner Dametto said.

“Illicit drugs cause immense harm to users and their families and make our communities less safe.

“No matter how elaborate or creative the attempts are, the AFP and our partners are working tirelessly to prevent airports and aircraft being used by trusted insiders as part of the criminal supply chain.”

Assistant commissioner Stephen Dametto. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

NSW Police Force Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein, from State Crime Command, acknowledged the pivotal role trusted insiders played in the illicit drug supply chain.

“We know that trusted insiders play a crucial role in the illicit drug supply chain in our country,” he said.

“These individuals abuse their positions to facilitate criminal activity, and targeting them through MAST is essential to protecting our communities from the scourge of drugs.”

ABF East Acting Assistant Commissioner Rose Cracknell said collaboration and information sharing between all agencies gave law enforcement the upper hand when it came to identifying trusted insiders.

“Criminal entities will look for any vulnerability to exploit Australia’s border controls, and we all must work together to disrupt their deceitful business model,” Assistant Commissioner Cracknell said.

A small bag of cocaine. Picture: Generic

“ABF officers around the country detect and investigate gaps in the supply chain, working closely with our law enforcement, regulatory and industry partners – both here in Australia and overseas – to target those organised crime networks whose sole purpose is to advance their illicit drug trafficking ventures.”