Port of Newcastle $20m cocaine haul probe: Military-grade diving gear, scooters used to ferry drugs

Police are probing theories a team of drug smuggling divers used trolleys and Navy SEAL-grade equipment to smuggle millions in drugs out of Newcastle Port.

Sophisticated military-grade diving equipment — often used by navy SEALS in covert operations — was used by scuba divers involved in the $20 million cocaine haul uncovered at the Port of Newcastle.

Senior NSW Police sources told The Saturday Daily Telegraph “military-level training” would have been required to use the rebreather.

Navy SEALS use rebreathers on stealth operations in an effort to conceal air bubbles from appearing while using breathing apparatus underwater.

The probe by investigators comes as police investigate whether trolleys or scooters were used to ferry drugs along the seabed before an unidentified diver drowned.

“There is a possibility that these specially trained divers used scooters to ferry the drugs from the Port of Newcastle,” the senior source said. “We already know the divers used high-grade rebreathers, rather than conventional diving equipment, in an effort to prevent air bubbles.

“But what needs to be probed further is the fact that they would have required military-level training or be highly certified to be able to use them.”

The bulk carrier container ship from which a drug mule was trying to collect more than 50kgs of cocaine when he drowned arrived in Newcastle from Argentina. Picture: Supplied

The Saturday Daily Telegraph can also reveal that police have seized a second bag found upriver from the ship. The bag, which had been cut open before being disposed off, is suspected to have carried more than 50kg of cocaine.

Investigators suspect the smugglers were able to retrieve those cocaine bundles before leaving without their dead gang member.

It still remains unclear how much cocaine was successfully smuggled out of the port, however senior police believe it was in the hundreds of kilograms.

On May 10, Organised Crime Squad detectives launched an investigation after the body of a diver and 54kg of cocaine were uncovered in the Hunter River at Newcastle.

A day earlier, emergency services were called to Heron Rd at Newcastle following reports of an unconscious diver on the shore. NSW Ambulance performed CPR however the man, who is yet to be identified, could not be revived.

NSW Police said packages containing what appeared to be 54kg of cocaine were uncovered near the man.

The probe comes as Organised Crime Squad detectives released the photos of a man and a woman that may be able to assist with police investigations.

“As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the death of the diver – who has yet to be formally identified – detectives have released images of a man and woman who they believe may be able to assist with inquiries,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

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

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.

The woman is described as being of a thin build, about 150-160cm tall and has a tanned complexion with blonde / grey hair.

“The woman is described as being of a thin build, about 150-160cm tall and has a tanned complexion with blonde / grey hair.”

On May 11, James Blake Blee was arrested and charged in Cairns over his alleged role in the importation of the cocaine, with Strike Force Groove detectives travelling to Queensland to apply for the man’s extradition to NSW on Friday afternoon.

The 62-year-old was flanked by NSW Police officers as he was extradited south just hours after Police prosecutors revealed the businessman was found at Cairns Airport with a “one way ticket to Singapore” and thousands of dollars in cash.

James Blee

Police prosecutor Sophie Gorrick said NSW Police had obtained “CCTV of the defendant with the deceased diver buying sophisticated diving equipment like that found on the diver”.

“We believe he is a high flight risk,” she said.

“He had recently travelled to Darwin from Indonesia on a boat with two men including the deceased diver and we feel if granted bail he will not appear at Parramatta bail court tomorrow (Saturday).”