September 2, 2024
Illegal tobacco ship allowed to sail free
A rogue container ship carrying more than two tonnes of illegal tobacco - worth up to $300m was intercepted by police off Newcastle but was allowed to sail free after Australia Border Force told officers they could not seize the cargo or bring the vessel into port.
Three weeks later, the MV Nami was still in NSW waters and was even refuelled by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority - with the blessing of the ABF - after its captain said they were low on fuel and food.
It then vanished into international waters with its illicit cargo.
The revelation comes amid concerns of the tobacco wars spreading across the country.
Details of the failure to grab the MV Nami's illegal cargo on the streets has been confirmed by both the ABF and NSW Police.
On New Year's Day, the ABF informed NSW police the MV Nami was about a 100kms offshore south of Newcastle and possibly involved in the smuggling of illegal drugs believed to be cocaine. NSW Police vessel Nemesis, along with officers from the ABF, boarded the ship and uncovered more than two tonnes of tobacco and cigarettes.
The captain declared the tobacco, but would not say where it was destined and said there were no plans to come into an Australian port.
ABF claimed they could not seize the tobacco because no crime could be proven and that the MV Nami was free to continue sailing.
Sources have confirmed the vessel, registered to Tanzania, was rigged so it could carry out an offshore transfer to smaller vessels while at sea.
"The boat was (supposedly) heading to South Korea and ended up in Australian waters - you don't get that lost at sea," a former federal and international law enforcement officer said.
"The only conclusion is the tobacco was to be offloaded here in either Melbourne or NSW. It appears to be a mother ship, where the illegal cargo is transferred at sea and smuggled ashore - it probably came back later and did that for all we know.
The vessel was also verging on being unseaworthy according to sources.
Shadow minister for Home Affairs and Cyber security.
James Paterson said: "At a time when criminal gangs are blowing up suburban shopping strips in their war for control over the hugely lucrative illegal tobacco market, Border Force have serious questions to answer over this fiasco," he said.
"What kind of message does it send to tobacco smugglers that they can be caught so close to our shores not once but twice with no consequences?
Instead of topping up their fuel and feeding them, they should have been arrested and charged to send a strong message about protecting our borders and community.
