Newcastle cocaine operation: Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva to be put on Interpol’s Red Notice

The Brazilian diver at the centre of the Newcastle cocaine diver death will be placed on an international ‘most wanted’ list. See the latest.

The Brazilian diver, who allegedly made off with millions of dollars in cocaine while his long-time friend drowned in the Port of Newcastle, will be the subject of an Interpol Red Notice alert, according to NSW Police sources.

Organised Crime Squad detectives have released images of two people who they believe will be able to assist with their investigation into the death of a diver and discovery of more than $20 million of cocaine earlier this week.

Police issued a warrant for the arrest of Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva, 32, last month after the Organised Crime Squad launched an investigation following the discovery of the body of a diver and 54kg of cocaine in the Hunter River.

Cocaine Smuggler

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Police sources close to the case said an application for a Red Notice from Interpol had been applied for in relation to Da Silva, as they “work with the community in an attempt to track down the wanted man”.

“An application for a Red Notice is currently in the works between NSW Police and Interpol,” the source said. “We believe he is still in Australia, but we also want to alert Police across the globe.”

The man is described as being of South American appearance, about 178cm tall and of an athletic build.

According to Interpol, red notices are applied for and issued for fugitives “wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence”.

“A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action,” a statement from Interpol said.

Just two other people are currently wanted by Australian police as part of Interpol’s Red Notice list.

Last week, the Newcastle News revealed Da Silva could be sent to Manus Island for detention.