Twelve-year-old boy found hiding in sea container at WA's Fremantle Port could be charged

The Nightly
The boy was reportedly only discovered after the sea container had been lifted on to a truck, moved and then offloaded again. File photo
The boy was reportedly only discovered after the sea container had been lifted on to a truck, moved and then offloaded again. File photo Credit: Mogens Johansen/The West Australian

Police have not ruled out charges for a 12-year-old boy found hiding in a sea container in a secure area at WA’s Fremantle Port.

The boy was only discovered after the sea container had been lifted onto a truck, moved and then offloaded again on to the ground on Tuesday, March 26.

It has been reported the boy was spotted by a forklift driver after he emerged from the container.

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Police officers were called to the scene and after identifying the boy, who was not injured during the incident, escorted him home.

Fremantle police were this week continuing to investigate, with the Australian Border Force, Patrick Terminals and Fremantle Port all said to be co-operating with that investigation.

A Patrick Terminals spokeswoman said once the child was found, workers immediately stopped work and escorted him safely to security.

“Patrick Terminals confirms that authorities were notified, and the matter is now being investigated by appropriate authorities,” she said. “Patrick Terminals is fully co-operating with their investigation.”

A Fremantle Port spokesman said: “The Federal Department of Home Affairs, which has legislative responsibility for civil maritime security, has been notified and is investigating the matter.”

“Fremantle Ports will provide its full assistance and co-operation to that investigation.”

An ABF spokeswoman said that it was aware of the “security incident” and that “as the matter is subject to an ongoing investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment further”.

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