Karumba man, 47, charged with 46 offences including rape, assault, torture and slavery

Police will allege a Far North fishing boat captain struck such fear into his crew that some swam through waters inhabited by crocs and sharks to avoid being raped, assaulted and exploited.

Cairns detectives have laid torture and slavery charges against a 47-year-old Karumba man after a months-long investigation in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Operation Victor Diabelli was launched in 2023 following reports an owner of four fishing boats allegedly threatened, exploited and assaulted numerous deckhands.

Police will also allege he withheld food, water and wages from some of them.

On January 9, 2024, detectives from Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch executed search warrants at a Karumba address and four fishing vessels.

Acting Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said some of the alleged victims were in such fear for their safety they deserted the boat and swam through waters inhabited by crocodiles and sharks to reach the relative safety of the mainland.

Police officers search a boat in connection with the arrest of a 47-year-old Karumba man who they later charged with torture and slavery. Picture: Queensland Police

“(The charges) include multiple counts of servitude, torture, assault occasioning bodily harm, common assault, stealing, rape and fraud,” Insp Chetham said.

“We’ll be alleging in some cases persons who were employed as deck hands on these fishing vessels were abused, they were assaulted, they were forced to work without wages, they were forced to sleep on the open deck of their boat.

“Some of those complainants were in such fear for their lives and wellbeing that they actually dived from those boats and swam through waters inhabited by sharks and crocodiles to the mainland … to seek relative safety from this individual.

“It’s not a place where you want to be in the water.”

Police officers search a vessel at Karumba allegedly connected to slavery and torture charges. Picture: Queensland Police

On January 17 police laid 46 charges against the man related to incidents that allegedly occurred from 2020 until 2023.

Mr Chetham said police will allege six people, including five males and one 25-year-old female who were mostly from Cape York, were victims of the Karumba man’s offences.

“(Officers) executed search warrants on fishing vessels in Karumba,” Mr Chetham said.

“A number of exhibits were seized including an illegal firearm.

“We’re alleging (victims) were certainly exploited and manipulated, in some cases physically assaulted by this individual.

“We certainly believe (the Karumba man) was a well known fisherman in the Karumba area.

“Those boats can go away for weeks at a time.”

Police seized a firearm from one of the man's boats. Picture: Queensland Police

Mr Chetham said police were investigating others who could have been involved.

“There are some other people who worked with him,” he said.

Mr Chetham said he believed some complainants had hesitated to report the alleged incidents to police out of fear for their own safety.

“We believe there is a very real chance there are other people out there that may well be complainants in this particular matter,” he said.

“What we want to say is we are happy to speak with people, hear their stories, investigate it fully, and we certainly are in a position to provide support to anyone who comes forward.”

Acting Detective Inspector Jason Chetham said police laid 46 charges against the man. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Karumba man was remanded in custody and is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on February 9.

Detective Sergeant Bradley McLeish said the community could be assured all complaints would be fully investigated.

“If you have information that could assist this investigation, we want to hear from you,” Detective Sergeant McLeish said.

“(Alleged) victims who may be subject to harassment or intimidation in relation to speaking to police are assured that all offenders will be held accountable for their actions.

“Anyone making threats to potential witnesses or victims can expect a visit from detectives very soon.”

Originally published as Karumba man, 47, charged with 46 offences including rape, assault, torture and slavery