Buried truck linked to dead diver Bruno Borges Martins and 54kgs of cocaine seized in Port Newcastle
One diver is dead, another remains missing and two men are before the courts over an alleged cocaine importation linked to the recent discovery of a buried truck.
Investigators have been piecing together the puzzle after the mysterious discovery of cocaine packages and a dead diver in the Port of Newcastle more than two years ago.
The diver was found unresponsive in the water with 54kg of cocaine nearby, in May 2022.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.He has since been identified as Brazilian 31-year-old Bruno Borges Martins, while an alleged second diver identified as 32-year-old Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva is yet to be located, NSW Police said.
Queensland superyacht operator James Blee pleaded guilty in December to importing a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug and people smuggling, and is due to be sentenced in August.
His son, James Lake-Kusviandy Blee is on bail awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to aiding and abetting his father in the importation and dealing with more than $100,000 from the proceeds of crime.
A manslaughter charge against the elder Blee, related to diving equipment provided to Martins, was withdrawn following his guilty pleas.
NSW Police searched a property at Menangle, southwest of Sydney in May following an appeal for information made more than two years after the discovery.
A Mitsubishi Fuso truck, last seen travelling south hours before Martins was found floating unresponsive in the water, was excavated at the property.
Police are still seeking a Toyota van seen travelling with the truck.
