Traffic controller business owner Luke Hazell allegedly purchased van, trolleys prior to $600m cocaine bust

Fresh details have emerged about a one-tonne cocaine bust, where an accused “onshore co-ordinator” allegedly drove a white van with trolleys large enough to carry the $623m worth of the drug.

One of the alleged “onshore co-ordinators” of a $600m cocaine supply network was armed with heavy-duty trolleys within a recently purchased white van when he was dramatically arrested in a major police sting on the mid-north coast, a court has heard.

Fresh details have emerged about the weekend’s 1100kg cocaine bust as one of the alleged syndicate members attempted to be released on bail, offering a $40,000 cash surety, the forfeiture of his passport and a curfew.

Coffs Harbour Local Court heard on Wednesday that Luke Hazell, 29, had no criminal record, had “ties to his community”, had a family and a mortgage and owned a traffic control business.

But prosecutors opposed the release application, telling the court that the operation was “a well planned and executed joint criminal enterprise” hallmarked by “cash purchases and encrypted mobile phones”.

“What other purposes would he have to be there ready to go?” police prosecutor Ms Huxtable asked the court.

Some of the cocaine allegedly seized by police. Supplied by NSW Police.

Defence solicitor James Janke told the court the case against his client was “entirely circumstantial” and that the purchase of a van for his business was an explicable one.

Prior to proceedings starting Hazell waved and smiled to two supporters sitting in Coffs Harbour court while he appeared via video link from Mid North Coast Correctional Centre at Kempsey where, the court heard, he is sharing a cell with a co-accused.

Police onboard a boat following the arrests. Supplied by NSW Police.

Dressed in prison greens, Hazell appeared calm as he heard the application for bail for the charges of knowingly taking part in the large commercial supply of cocaine and also is charged with other drug supply offences.

No pleas have been entered.

Ms Huxtable told the court that bail should be denied because of the severity of the matter made Hazell a “flight risk”.

To support bail, Mr Janke said the risks could be mitigated with a $40,000 cash forfeiture and a 24-hour curfew.

Police intercepted a boat as it motored back towards the mid-north coast. Supplied by NSW Police.

However, magistrate Julia Virgo refused bail due to the severity of the allegations against Hazell and the risk of witness interference in what she described as “a very serious and sophisticated offence”.

There are a total of five men charged over the bust of allegedly 1.1 tonnes of cocaine, including Hazell, Chaiwat Thipsing, 28, and Rodney James Hill, 35, who face the same charges.

The remaining two men charged over the operation are Cooper Hollingworth, 24, from Cardiff and Jacob Malcolm, 26, from Merewether, both of whom were charged with large commercial drug supply.

None have been required to enter any pleas.

According to police documents, the men were charged by officers working under Strike Force Blaine, which was established to investigate large scale cocaine supply.

The cocaine was tightly wrapped in plastic. Supplied by NSW Police.

On April 28, one of the group allegedly purchased a Sea Ray cruiser for an unknown amount at Burraneer Bay Marina Yacht Sales, the document said.

The next day it entered the d’Albora Marina at Nelson Bay where police allege Hollingworth and Malcolm were captured on CCTV retrieving spearfishing gear, food, supplies and eight red jerry cans believed to be carrying fuel.

Two men after their arrest. Supplied by NSW Police.

By May 3, investigators had allegedly tracked Hollingworth’s phone to Port Macquarie.

Surveillance police located the boat anchored on the Hastings River before following it to the d’Albora Marina in Port Macquarie.

On May 7, the boat exited Port Macquarie Harbour with surveillance officers not far behind.

It arrived the next day at South West Rocks, where another 20 jerry cans were loaded on board, the document said.

At 3.20am on May 9, police watched as the vessel travelled out to sea in a north-westerly direction.

When it returned about six hours later, police moved in, made their arrests and seized the drugs, the document said.

On Sunday, NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Jason Weinstein revealed the “suspicious” purchase of the 13m Sea Ray motor cruiser boat, worth about $500,000, was what kickstarted the investigation.

Police said the person who sold the men the boat was not involved nor had any knowledge of the alleged scheme.

Hazell is due back in court on July 15.

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Originally published as Traffic controller business owner Luke Hazell allegedly purchased van, trolleys prior to $600m cocaine bust