David John Pfeffer back in court for failing to operate boat safely
The man who police allege was the skipper of two vessels that allegedly tried to smuggle a record-breaking amount of cocaine into the country has had a dangerous boating charge mentioned in court.
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The man who police allege was the skipper of two vessels that allegedly tried to smuggle a record-breaking amount of cocaine into the country has had a dangerous boating charge mentioned in court.
David John Pfeffer, who is alleged to be the captain of two vessels used in the alleged attempt to smuggle 2.34 tonne of cocaine into Queensland in November 2024, was charged that while he was the master of a ship, he operated it when it was not safe to do so near K’gari between November 25-29, 2024.
He has pleaded not guilty to the dangerous boating charge.
Mr Pfeffer is on bail for this matter, but remains in custody for charges relating to cocaine smuggling, conspiracy to import a commercial amount of border-controlled drugs.
He is yet to enter a plea to the drug charges.
His defence lawyer, Andrew Owens of Owens and Associates, did not answer four phone calls from Magistrate Trinity McGarvie on Wednesday, April 9, leading to an adjournment for Monday, April 14.
On Monday morning, Mr Pfeffer appeared via videolink in custody, while Mr Owens once again missed phone calls from the courthouse and did not appear in front of the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.
Mr Owens emailed the court prior to its resumption on Monday morning, indicating a brief of evidence had been disclosed and a conference with his client had been held.
He asked for a further adjournment of three weeks and sought leave to appear by phone; however, the latter request was denied by Ms McGarvie, who later said: “Having that leave requires you to answer your phone”.
The matter was adjourned to Thursday, May 8, with a town agent or Mr Owens to appear in person.
Mr Pfeffer’s bail was enlarged for this matter, but remains in custody due to the drug smuggling charges.
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