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A scuba diver found unconscious near the Port of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia, has been identified as a suspected drug mule who drowned while trying to recover 50kg of cocaine from the sea floor.
The diver, who was discovered wearing a rebreather and Sharkskin-branded suit, was recovered from the water on the morning of Monday, 9 May. Attempts were made to resuscitate him, but he died before paramedics could arrive at the scene.
Police investigating the incident discovered bricks of cocaine with an estimated street value of AU$20million in the water, and turned their attention to a recently-arrived Argentinian cargo vessel moored nearby. Two small boats which may have been involved in the operation had been spotted around the ship during the night.
The diver’s use of a rebreather led the police chief in charge of the operation to state that he believed the criminals behind the smuggling operation were ‘professional’ and ‘knew exactly what they were doing.’
‘It’s a high-end, sophisticated operation,’ said Detective Superintendent Rob Critchlow of the NSW Police. ‘We’re looking at moving commodities and people across the world – Sydney is a huge market. The high retail price for cocaine in Australia is a huge draw for international drug traffickers, and they’re targeting our community with this poison to sell for a profit.’
The dead diver has not been identified but is not thought to be an Australian national. His use of an Australian brand’s wetsuit, however, has led police to suspect he may have been present in the country for some time prior to the operation.
Police are appealing for any dive shop that may have recently sold a Sharkskin suit and rebreather to contact them urgently.
