Cash purchase of boat leads to massive cocaine haul

Police have seized more than a tonne of cocaine worth over $600 million after allegedly finding the drugs on a boat off the New South Wales coast.
Police say they were alerted to the operation when the motor cruiser boat was purchased for $500,000 with cash in Sydney's Sutherland Shire last month.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

News.com.au

7 hours ago

• News.com.au

Family demands answers after Jason Rigby's ‘suicide' stabbing death in Fiji

The family of an Australian man who died under mysterious circumstances while working at a hotel in Fiji, are demanding answers after his death was ruled a suicide. Jason Rigby, 40, was working as acting manager of Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort on December 14 last year when he was found unconscious in the bathroom of a suite with stab wounds to his chest. Speaking to 60 Minutes, friend and colleague Arushi Arora said Jason was found by two people with stab wounds. Upon finding Jason, one person called Ms Arora and ordered her to call an ambulance, adding Jason had 'stabbed himself' in the apartment. Ms Arora then ran into the bathroom, where she said she found the 40yo 'half lying there' with a 'couple of injuries to his chest'. He was declared dead at the scene. Born in Christchurch, Jason eventually settled on the Gold Coast, where he became a surf lifesaver and eventually followed his father's footsteps by entering the hotel business. Remembered as a fun-loving and adventure-seeking guy, his brother Chris told The Australian he 'loved his freedom and doing what he wanted'. Jason's heartbroken family said they were left in the dark about his death for 10 hours, when they learned the news from Queensland Police. When brother Peter Rigby spoke to Jason's girlfriend, she said she understood his death was a suicide. Fiji Police also said the cause of death was suicide, and confirmed there would be 'no criminal investigation' into the incident. However, Jason's family are demanding an investigation be launched into his death, adding they were offered 'little-to-no information' about the circumstances of the incident. They have enlisted a private investigator and former UK police detective, Phil Jones, to unearth any evidence about the death. Chris doesn't think his brother's death was a suicide, and believes there was 'foul play' involved. 'I think something's happened a couple of days leading up (to James' death),' he told 60 Minutes. 'We don't know what that is, but, um we could be missing something.' Professor Roger Byard said the official explanation for Jason's death didn't add up, and said the local police should have treated his death as a homicide immediately. 'Suicidal stabbings are so uncommon, and you don't want to miss a homicide,' he said. They have since hired legal representation to push the case, which they said has been upgraded into a murder investigation. Jason's family said investigations into his death determined the knife found at the scene did not belong to him, sparking further questions about its origins. 'We're going to keep fighting until we, until we get those answers,' Chris said. 'We just want justice for him. We can't bring him back ... but at least justice. That's what we want.' The family said Jason's death was now the subject of a coronial inquest at the Nadi Magistrates Court. However, on Sunday, Fiji Police Assistant Commissioner of Police Crime Mesake Waqa told local outlet Fijivillage there was no indication of any foul play. He added investigations into Jason's death were ongoing and urged for the family's patience.

News.com.au

11 hours ago

• News.com.au

Man arrested after allegedly stabbing two women, threatening man in Uralla, NSW

A man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing two women and threatening another man with a knife in NSW's north. Police were called to John St in Uralla in the Northern Tablelands about 9.40am Sunday after reports a woman had been stabbed in the face by a man with a knife, before fleeing in a Holden sedan. The 33-year-old woman was treated for facial injuries by paramedics before she was transported to Armidale Hospital in a stable condition. A short time later, police were called to a house on Rowan Ave in Uralla after reports a man had threatened another man with a knife. Police were told the armed man threatened a 23-year-old man with a knife before leaving in the Holden sedan after he was unable to enter the home. About 11am, police were called to a home in Noalimba Ave in Kentucky after reports a woman had been stabbed. Upon arrival, police found a 22-year-old woman with lacerations to her hand and mouth after she was allegedly assaulted by the same man outside the house. She was treated by paramedics and transported to Armidale Hospital for further treatment. With the assistance of Polair, police launched a desperate search to find the man. Shortly after 12.30pm, police found the man hiding in a children's cubby house on East St in Uralla. 'During the arrest police also located and seized a knife from the cubby house and a Holden sedan parked nearby,' a police statement read. The man was taken to Armidale Police Station. No charges have been laid. Multiple crime scenes have been established as police launch an investigation into the incidents.

Courier-Mail

13 hours ago

• Courier-Mail

Search and rescue launched for Howard's Glenn Courtis

Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News. A search and rescue operation has been launched after a vehicle was found abandoned in Childers on Saturday. Initial information indicates a dark coloured 2016 Citroen C4, bearing Queensland registration 445MC3, was located on Chews Road, Childers about 1pm on Friday, June 20. Initial information indicates, a dark coloured 2016 Citroen C4, bearing Queensland registration 445MC3, was located on Chews Road, Childers about 1pm on Friday, June 20. However, it was not reported to police until Saturday afternoon. Subsequent inquiries indicate the owner of the vehicle, 61-year-old Glenn Courtis from Howard, has not been located. Inquiries by police indicate the owner of the vehicle, 61-year-old Glenn Courtis from Howard, has not been located. Police and SES personnel commenced a search of bushland near Chews Road and the surrounding areas about 8.30am this morning, Sunday, June 22. Investigators are appealing to Glenn, or anyone with information about his whereabouts, is urged to contact Policelink.