Details emerge about the arrests of Norwegian nationals over Newcastle Harbour cocaine haul

More details have emerged about the very public arrest of two Norwegian nationals regarding the very private investigation into the discovery of 82kg of cocaine on a ship in Newcastle Harbour.

Federal police investigating a cocaine haul inspect what appears to be diving equipment discovered on the shore of Newcastle Harbour near Honeysuckle Drive on January 25, 2023. Picture: NBN News.

To a passer-by, they may have just appeared as an inquisitive pair of fishermen trying their luck for a daytime feed off the concrete edge of Newcastle Harbour smack bang in the middle of the city’s coal port.

But authorities investigating a huge cocaine haul on a ship docked in the harbour allege the anglers‘ intermittent use of binoculars lifted their suspicions as police continued their hunt for some scuba divers seen in the Hunter River under the cover of darkness a few hours earlier.

And as police neared the fishermen, they allege those suspicions were correct as the pair attempted to run off.

The latest tidbits of information continue to leak out in the highly-secretive investigation into the haul of 82kg of cocaine found on the Cyrpus-flagged bulk carrier Stalo on January 24 this year.

After police divers spent a large portion of that Tuesday retrieving the small blocks of cocaine in full view of Honeysuckle Hotel patrons a few hundred metres across Throsby Creek, investigators did not expect the presence of anyone involved in what they later alleged in court was a “sophisticated international crime syndicate”.

Federal police investigating a cocaine haul inspect at what appears to be diving equipment discovered on the shore of Newcastle Harbour near Honeysuckle Drive on January 25, 2023. Picture: NBN News.

In fact, their suspicions for any alleged syndicate member’s arrival were so small there was not even a patrol car left to keep an eye on the ship overnight.

But when a Newcastle ferry worker blurted across the port authority’s radio about 4am the following morning that he had shone his torch on at least one scuba diver, authorities kicked back into gear.

Two Norwegian nationals were arrested and charged on January 25 at the Port of Newcastle after police allege they attempted to import cocaine off a visiting ship. Credit: NBN News

Some discarded scuba gear was discovered on the edge of Throsby Creek early on that Wednesday morning.

But it was not until mid afternoon – about 10 hours after the scuba diver was seen in the water – that police were having a closer look at the pair of fishermen who had turned up to wet a line.

Norwegian nationals Johan-Martinius Halversen and Jon Birger Karlsen were both arrested after a short foot pursuit.

Police will allege they found evidence of the purchase of diving equipment on at least one of the men.

Two Norwegian nationals were arrested and charged on January 25 at the Port of Newcastle after police allege they attempted to import cocaine off a visiting ship. Credit: NBN News

On Australia Day, Newcastle Local Court would hear prosecutors argue the strength of their case during a bail hearing.

They alleged the pair had been flown into Queensland where expensive scuba gear had been bought before they headed to Newcastle for the pre-dawn operation.

Prosecutors also argue that the men were part of a “sophisticated” international crime syndicate.

But the men, through the defence solicitors, have argued that the prosecution case was not strong, that there would be issues regarding identification when the matter goes to trial because there was a significant time period between the reported sighting of the scuba diver, police arriving back at the scene and the pair’s arrest many hours later.

Both men remain behind bars on remand.

Investigations into the haul continue.