Townsville Magistrates Court: Alleged yacht coke trafficker, ship captain have charges mentioned

A man allegedly involved in smuggling 250kg of cocaine from Townsville and a ship captain who crashed into another boat were some of the defendants in court recently. See the latest court news here.

Generic photo, Townsville Court House. Picture: Shae Beplate.

A man who was the ship captain of a bulk carrier HL Eco when it collided with another ship near a large coal port south of Mackay has had his sentence rescheduled after not attending court.

Jin Woo Jun is expected to plead guilty to one commonwealth charge of operating a vessel in contravention of regulations when the ship crashed on July 16, 2024.

The charge was mentioned on Monday morning in Townsville Magistrates Court where defence lawyer Harvey Walter said a warrant for Mr Jun’s arrest was issued on September 30.

He said he had since been in contact with Mr Jun and was ready to reschedule a sentence date.

“We’ve been in contact, he has been on a ship and has had to get his affairs in order,” Mr Walters told the court.

It’s alleged Mr Jun contravened a Marine Order 30 which details internationally agreed measures to avoid collision including the navigation, management and working of a vessel and the lights and signals used.

Magistrate Richard Lehmann adjourned the charge to November 25 for sentence in Townsville Court.

Alleged cocaine trafficker

A man who was allegedly involved in smuggling 250kg of cocaine by yacht has had the charge mentioned in court with his representation saying they will be ready to proceed.

Rachid Kachour has been charged with dealing with money or other property of over $100,000 and importing or exporting commercial quantities of border controlled plants.

He has not yet entered pleas.

On Monday morning Mr Kachour’s legal representation Mr Willshire appeared on his behalf by phone and said he needed to take committal instructions from his client.

He clarified he was also wanting an adjournment to seek additional funding.

Magistrate Richard Lehmann adjourned the charge to November 25 in Townsville Magistrates Court.

Alleged $100k fraudster

A woman who was originally charged with fraud of more than $100,000 is said to be having the offence changed, while the court awaits outstanding material for the case.

Suzanne Marie Scott currently faces three charges of conduct relating to proceeds of crime worth $100,000 or more, fraud and possessing drugs.

No pleas have been entered.

Commonwealth prosecutor Sam Lanskey said the large portion of the brief had been disclosed and from the prosecution side of things they were ready for the case to be committed however said he would be replacing one of the charges.

Defence lawyer Lisa Mcnamara said she would need time to review the new charge and speak with Ms Scott.

Ms Lanskey said the charge was “not dissimilar” to the current one and also told the court the remaining documents that were outstanding from the brief included fraud victim impact statements and a forensic accountant statement.

Magistrate Richard Lehmann adjourned the charges to November 25 where Ms Scott will have to appear via video link from custody to have the charges amended.

Originally published as Townsville Magistrates Court: Alleged yacht coke trafficker, ship captain have charges mentioned