Six Crew Members Of Merchant Vessel Charged Over Alleged Cocaine Import Attempt Off Australia’s Coast

Australian authorities have charged six crew members of a merchant vessel over an alleged attempt to import one tonne of cocaine into the country.

The case follows a joint investigation into an organised crime syndicate believed to be using a specially modified ship to move drugs by sea.

The vessel, a 40-metre ship identified as MV Raider, came under investigation in January 2026 after French authorities intercepted it in international waters.

During that operation, the French Navy seized and disposed of 4.8 tonnes of cocaine before releasing the vessel and its crew under the laws of French Polynesia.

Investigators later suspected the vessel was still part of a larger drug operation. Authorities believed an Australian-based group working for the syndicate was planning to meet the ship at sea to collect drugs within Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

In late February, Australian Border Force officers, along with the NSW Police Marine Area Command, intercepted the vessel about 180 nautical miles off the New South Wales coast. The crew was questioned about their intentions and informed they would not be allowed to enter an Australian port.

On 12 March 2026, the vessel issued a distress call to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, reporting mechanical problems and a shortage of essential supplies. It was escorted into Sydney Harbour on 13 March by NSW Police.

Once in port, the crew was detained as unlawful maritime arrivals and taken to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre.

Authorities later examined electronic devices belonging to the crew and said they found material that suggested the vessel may have been carrying more drugs.

On 25 March 2026, investigators searched the vessel while it was anchored at Snails Bay in Sydney Harbour. During the search, they seized documents and electronic devices believed to have been used to coordinate the distribution of cocaine within Australian waters.

A satellite phone was also recovered, which police said was used by senior crew members to stay in contact with people linked to the syndicate overseas.

During a detailed inspection of the vessel, officers found three professionally built hidden compartments. These were suspected to have previously stored up to six tonnes of cocaine.

Police believe the compartments were constructed in Central America specifically to hide illegal cargo and avoid detection during inspections at sea.

A separate search was also carried out on the crew at the detention centre, where clothing items were seized for forensic examination. Authorities said further evidence linked six crew members to at least one drug drop within Australian waters.

On 28 March 2026, AFP officers arrested and charged six men, five from Honduras aged 26, 31, 36, 61 and 63, and one 43-year-old from Ecuador.

They have been charged with conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs under Australian law, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The men were scheduled to appear before the NSW Bail Division Court on 30 March 2026.

Officials said criminal groups are using large vessels with built-in hiding spaces to transport drugs across long distances before transferring them at sea.

Reference: AFP