SPIRIT OF AUCKLAND

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Second suspicious vessel spotted over NZ cocaine scandal

A second vessel of interest's been identified in a drug smuggling operation that saw around 91 kg of cocaine make its way to New Zealand. A 32-year-old Australian man was arrested in Dunedin after allegedly trying to import the class-A drug. The Victorian resident allegedly attempted to scuba dive to retrieve the drugs from a hidden compartment inside the hull of the 'Spirit of Auckland'. While the arrest occurred in September 2022, on Jan 30 the Australian Federal Police made an appeal for sightings of an open-cab boat in Melbourne, which it believes is connected to the operation. The boat was seen in the vicinity of the 'Spirit of AucklandÄ in Melbourne, as it made its way to New Zealand. Officials are looking into whether the boat was used as reconnaissance to keep an eye out for law enforcement as the vessel passed through Australian waters. The Australian national is due to face court in New Zealand on March 15.

sold

sold to Rickmers included 3YRS T/C BACK TO HAMBURG SUD AT USD 20,000PD