Man, 47, charged with multiple slavery, torture, assault offences against deckhands in Gulf of Carpentaria

Detectives have charged a fisherman with multiple slavery and torture offences in Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria, alleging deckhands were assaulted, threatened and had food and water withheld.

A fisherman has been charged with torture and slavery offences against deckhands on his fishing boats, with police alleging he assaulted, threatened, and withheld food and water from crew members.

Detectives from Cairns charged the Karumba man, 47, with 46 offences after an extensive investigation in Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria.

Search warrants were executed on the man’s Karumba address and four fishing vessels.

Several items, including an illegal firearm, were allegedly located on board.

Cairns detectives have charged a 47-year-old Karumba man with 46 offences after an extensive investigation in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Picture: Supplied / QPS

It will be alleged the man assaulted, threatened, and withheld food and water from crew members aboard his vessels.

The man is charged with 18 counts of common assault, ten counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, 3 counts of assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed, 5 counts each of torture and slavery and 1 count of stealing.

He will face Cairns Magistrates Court on February 9.

The arrest brings an end to the Operation Victor Diabelli, launched by police in 2023 following reports a of the alleged assaults.

Queensland Police Acting Inspector Jason Chetham said it would be alleged the victims were forced to sleep on the open deck of the boat and were not paid wages.

He said some of the alleged complainants were so fearful for their lives they dived from the boats, swimming through crocodile and shark-infested waters to the mainland.

QPS-released vision of officers searching one of the man’s vessels and allegedly locating a firearm. Picture: Supplied / QPS

“We are alleging they were certainly exploited and manipulated and, in some cases, physically assaulted by this individual,” Inspector Chetham said told the ABC on Wednesday.

“Young people working on those boats, trying to earn a living... we’re alleging the conditions were terrible for them.”

Inspector Chetham said it would be alleged the offences occurred between 2020 and 2023 and some of the boats would have been out on the water for “weeks” at a time.

“(The man is) a large individual, and he’s the skipper of the boat so that comes with a great deal of authority and their employer, so I would suggest they were very vulnerable,” he said.

Police are appealing for further witnesses and victims to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Bradley McLeish said the community can be assured all complaints will be fully investigated.

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

“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 Man, 47, charged with multiple slavery, torture, assault offences against deckhands in Gulf of Carpentaria