Superyacht operator James Blee to remain behind bars on remand

A bail application from a superyacht operator accused of a $20 million cocaine smuggling operation at the Port of Newcastle — where a diver drowned — has been canned at the last minute.

A superyacht tour operator accused of a $20 million cocaine smuggling operation uncovered after a scuba diver was found drowned in the Port of Newcastle has opted not to make a release application.

James ‘Jimmy’ Blake Blee, 62, was listed for a bail review in Central Local Court on Friday, but a last minute decision by his legal team saw the matter adjourned for eight weeks.

No reason for the change in strategy was provided to the court.

Blee was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Cairns Airport last Wednesday, moments before boarding a flight out of the country.

He was then extradited to NSW and charged with import commercial quantity of border-controlled drug; and supply prohibited drug more than large commercial quantity.

James Blee was arrested by AFP moments before boarding a flight to Singapore. Picture: Brendan Radke.

Police allege the offences occurred at Kooragang on May 8, when a plan to retrieve $20 million worth of cocaine from a cargo ship turned deadly.

Blee, who operates superyacht tours in the Whitsundays and once auditioned for the television show Survivor, did not appear in court or via video link during the brief matter on Friday.

The Whitsundays superyacht tour operator once auditioned for the show Survivor. Picture: Facebook.

The Cairns man has yet to enter a plea to either charge. He will remain behind bars on remand until his return to court on July 13.

Strike Force Groove was launched to investigate the alleged smuggling operation, after a scuba diver was found dead off the coast of Newcastle on May 9.

The man, who police have identified as Brazilian national Bruno Borges, was found wearing hi-tech scuba gear and drifting near 50kg of cocaine.

Police believe he was smuggling the cocaine from inside of the hull of the Areti Gr Majuro cargo ship, and that some of the drugs may have made it to shore before he drowned.

Mr Borges drowned while trying to smuggle an estimated more than 50 kilograms of cocaine to shore near the Port of Newcastle. Picture: NSW Police

Police divers at the scene at the Port of Newcastle. Picture: Peter Lorimer

Detectives have since released CCTV of a man and woman they believe may be able to assist with their investigation.

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

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

Strike Force Groove investigations are ongoing, including overseas probes by the AFP.

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