Drug smugglers arrested - PNG to Australia in Beech Baron
Absolutely promise you it is the same guy as the Merlin bust in 2014.
I am sure we all remember that last time, Bernie got a non-custodial sentence on account of his tragic and terminal Cancer diagnosis.
I, for one, thank the kind magistrate for allowing Bernie the opportunity to live what remains of his life to the full. I wonder what medical practitioner provided the diagnosis to the court on the Merlin event, and what AHPRA have to say?
I am sure we all remember that last time, Bernie got a non-custodial sentence on account of his tragic and terminal Cancer diagnosis.
I, for one, thank the kind magistrate for allowing Bernie the opportunity to live what remains of his life to the full. I wonder what medical practitioner provided the diagnosis to the court on the Merlin event, and what AHPRA have to say?
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Bernard Stevermuer
It absolutely is the same person. No mistaking his profile. He will struggle to avoid a long stint of incarceration this time.
https://abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View/80831017378
https://abr.business.gov.au/ABN/View/80831017378
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Hmmm...might be a Baron coming up for grabs in the next Government Auction of seized goods...
Possibly a good opportunity for someone.
Possibly a good opportunity for someone.
Don’t forget, a certain Aerostar was flying again with the same owner, almost the next day.
Is there any connection between this particular task with the Baron, and David Cutmore with the C402, and twice convicted Aussie living in PNG, Shaun Honey, who was nabbed in a Cairns hotel doing drugs during covid and a few months later in Port Moresby with K60 or 90 mill in drugs?
Is the so called organised crime unit the same people in all three/four cases?
Just curious; I think Cutmore is still in jail in Port Moresby; I don't know if Honey did jail time or bought his way out. And there is also the Hotel manager in Moresby who is an Aussie expat; manufacturing crap in the hotel he was managing?
Is the so called organised crime unit the same people in all three/four cases?
Just curious; I think Cutmore is still in jail in Port Moresby; I don't know if Honey did jail time or bought his way out. And there is also the Hotel manager in Moresby who is an Aussie expat; manufacturing crap in the hotel he was managing?
Courier Mail 23 March 2023
'Black flight' intercepted with $15m in meth
A "black flight" - a light plane flying low under cover of darkness, with its transponder turned off - was intercepted by federal police when it landed in Queensland with $15 million of meth from PNG.
A drone was used for months to monitor a man allegedly involved in a “black flight” operation to smuggle meth out of PNG before police swooped in to dismantle the drug ring this week, a court has heard.
Details of the sophisticated operation to nab the alleged drug runners emerged in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Thursday when 54-year-old Peter David Payne applied for bail – with his lawyer telling the court the Newcastle grandfather thought he was on a road trip.
He was one of five men arrested when Australian Federal Police descended on an air strip at Monto, near Bundaberg in Central Queensland, after they allegedly brought in 50kg of meth from PNG in a small plane flying below the radar in what is known as a “black flight”.
Mr Payne did not enter a plea when he appeared via video link from the Bundaberg watch-house for a bail application on Thursday, March 21 on a charge of importing or exporting commercial quantities of border controlled drugs or plants following the interception of the plane carrying a an estimated $15m worth of meth on March 20, 2023.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Carl Spargo told the court police opposed bail, and revealed officers conducted a surveillance operation on Mr Payne including tapping his telecommunications and observing his movements with a drone since November 2022.
The court heard that co-accused Mark Brian Pracy had discussed a plan on November 16, 2022 with Mr Payne involving hiring a trailer or utility.
Police allege that Mr Pracy told Mr Payne “you’ll earn more in a week than you’ve earnt in your whole life. This is the kind of thing you just say yes to.”
Mr Spargo told the court Mr Payne responded “I’m in.”
On November 21, 2022 police observed Mr Payne leaving his home with a box-trailer attached to his vehicle carrying a 1000 litre tank of fuel, which he subsequently delivered to Mr Pracy at Monto Airport.
Police allege Mr Payne and Mr Pracy travelled through Airlie Beach, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sarina and met with another co-accused, Nathan Bailey, in Gladstone.
The trio then allegedly travelled to Monto Airport and returned to Gladstone where they took up rental accommodation.
During their stay in Gladstone Mr Payne suffered a suspected stroke related to a pre-existing diabetes condition and was taken to hospital.
The court heard they then travelled to Monto and stayed in the Monto Colonial Motor Inn for three days.
During this stay police allege Mr Pracy said “Pete’s just collapsed on me,” referring to another health episode suffered by Mr Payne.
The court heard on March 20 the trio went to Monto Airport to meet the aircraft carrying co-accused Bernard Alexander and John Horvath.
Police allege that Mr Payne and Mr Pracy then refuelled the aircraft with the fuel that Mr Payne had transported from Newcastle.
Police objected to bail based on factors including the strength of the case, risk of failing to appear at court and risk to his own personal safety due to other criminal elements potentially involved with the drug shipment.
The lawyer for Mr Payne, Justin Geldard, told the court his client was a father of four, a grandfather and a family man who said he believed he was going on a road trip.
Mr Geldard told the court that Mr Payne was not at risk of failing to appear or reoffend and had no relevant criminal history.
He referred to concerns around his client’s safety as mere speculation, and that custody would be detrimental to Mr Payne’s health due to his pre-existing medical conditions.
Mr Geldard made a submission that Mr Payne would return to the family home if granted bail.
Magistrate John McInnes refused bail on the grounds that Mr Payne’s conversations with Mr Pracy indicated that he was in fact aware that he was involved in the plan, although he was probably not a “corporate director.”
Mr McInnes suggested that Mr Payne was pulled into the plan and that his knowledge of the plan increased over time.
Mr McInnes suggested that Mr Payne was at an unacceptable risk of reoffending, since in such cases there could be a tendency for others possibly involved in the plan to apply pressure to recoup losses.
Mr McInnes also suggested that there was an unacceptable risk of Mr Payne failing to appear at future court dates due to being “associated with a group which were able to obtain a plane.”
Mr Payne, sporting a long white goatee wearing a green ‘Hells Bells’ AC/DC T-shirt, held his head in his hands as Mr McInnes read his decision.
Mr Payne’s case will go before the Bundaberg magistrate again alongside his co-accused later in the year for committal to a higher court.
Mr Spargo told the court that another suspect was arrested in Papua New Guinea on Wednesday in relation to the drug shipment.
Mr Payne will remain in custody.
The court appearance came as the sleepy town of Monto was left reeling from the arrests.
Monto Colonial Motor Inn owner Georgie Dekker said police came into town on Tuesday night before the news came out on Thursday.
“Everyone is talking about it, but no one in the town had any idea,” she said.
Albert Hotel worker Laura said the town had seen an influx of people taking advantage of the great community and affordable housing, so new faces were in and out all the time.
'Black flight' intercepted with $15m in meth
A "black flight" - a light plane flying low under cover of darkness, with its transponder turned off - was intercepted by federal police when it landed in Queensland with $15 million of meth from PNG.
A drone was used for months to monitor a man allegedly involved in a “black flight” operation to smuggle meth out of PNG before police swooped in to dismantle the drug ring this week, a court has heard.
Details of the sophisticated operation to nab the alleged drug runners emerged in the Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Thursday when 54-year-old Peter David Payne applied for bail – with his lawyer telling the court the Newcastle grandfather thought he was on a road trip.
He was one of five men arrested when Australian Federal Police descended on an air strip at Monto, near Bundaberg in Central Queensland, after they allegedly brought in 50kg of meth from PNG in a small plane flying below the radar in what is known as a “black flight”.
Mr Payne did not enter a plea when he appeared via video link from the Bundaberg watch-house for a bail application on Thursday, March 21 on a charge of importing or exporting commercial quantities of border controlled drugs or plants following the interception of the plane carrying a an estimated $15m worth of meth on March 20, 2023.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Carl Spargo told the court police opposed bail, and revealed officers conducted a surveillance operation on Mr Payne including tapping his telecommunications and observing his movements with a drone since November 2022.
The court heard that co-accused Mark Brian Pracy had discussed a plan on November 16, 2022 with Mr Payne involving hiring a trailer or utility.
Police allege that Mr Pracy told Mr Payne “you’ll earn more in a week than you’ve earnt in your whole life. This is the kind of thing you just say yes to.”
Mr Spargo told the court Mr Payne responded “I’m in.”
On November 21, 2022 police observed Mr Payne leaving his home with a box-trailer attached to his vehicle carrying a 1000 litre tank of fuel, which he subsequently delivered to Mr Pracy at Monto Airport.
Police allege Mr Payne and Mr Pracy travelled through Airlie Beach, Mackay, Rockhampton, Sarina and met with another co-accused, Nathan Bailey, in Gladstone.
The trio then allegedly travelled to Monto Airport and returned to Gladstone where they took up rental accommodation.
During their stay in Gladstone Mr Payne suffered a suspected stroke related to a pre-existing diabetes condition and was taken to hospital.
The court heard they then travelled to Monto and stayed in the Monto Colonial Motor Inn for three days.
During this stay police allege Mr Pracy said “Pete’s just collapsed on me,” referring to another health episode suffered by Mr Payne.
The court heard on March 20 the trio went to Monto Airport to meet the aircraft carrying co-accused Bernard Alexander and John Horvath.
Police allege that Mr Payne and Mr Pracy then refuelled the aircraft with the fuel that Mr Payne had transported from Newcastle.
Police objected to bail based on factors including the strength of the case, risk of failing to appear at court and risk to his own personal safety due to other criminal elements potentially involved with the drug shipment.
The lawyer for Mr Payne, Justin Geldard, told the court his client was a father of four, a grandfather and a family man who said he believed he was going on a road trip.
Mr Geldard told the court that Mr Payne was not at risk of failing to appear or reoffend and had no relevant criminal history.
He referred to concerns around his client’s safety as mere speculation, and that custody would be detrimental to Mr Payne’s health due to his pre-existing medical conditions.
Mr Geldard made a submission that Mr Payne would return to the family home if granted bail.
Magistrate John McInnes refused bail on the grounds that Mr Payne’s conversations with Mr Pracy indicated that he was in fact aware that he was involved in the plan, although he was probably not a “corporate director.”
Mr McInnes suggested that Mr Payne was pulled into the plan and that his knowledge of the plan increased over time.
Mr McInnes suggested that Mr Payne was at an unacceptable risk of reoffending, since in such cases there could be a tendency for others possibly involved in the plan to apply pressure to recoup losses.
Mr McInnes also suggested that there was an unacceptable risk of Mr Payne failing to appear at future court dates due to being “associated with a group which were able to obtain a plane.”
Mr Payne, sporting a long white goatee wearing a green ‘Hells Bells’ AC/DC T-shirt, held his head in his hands as Mr McInnes read his decision.
Mr Payne’s case will go before the Bundaberg magistrate again alongside his co-accused later in the year for committal to a higher court.
Mr Spargo told the court that another suspect was arrested in Papua New Guinea on Wednesday in relation to the drug shipment.
Mr Payne will remain in custody.
The court appearance came as the sleepy town of Monto was left reeling from the arrests.
Monto Colonial Motor Inn owner Georgie Dekker said police came into town on Tuesday night before the news came out on Thursday.
“Everyone is talking about it, but no one in the town had any idea,” she said.
Albert Hotel worker Laura said the town had seen an influx of people taking advantage of the great community and affordable housing, so new faces were in and out all the time.
Thread Starter
Joint media release from AFP, Qld Police, NSW Police and Royal PNG Constabulary:- Post Courier Five arrested over black flight loaded with meth
Images and pictures available here:- Op Gepard (hightail.com)
Images and pictures available here:- Op Gepard (hightail.com)
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Anyone know if the Aerostar gang have had their day/s in court? The media never follow up on anything so who knows?
This would have to make a great news story if we have any decent investigative journalists left.
Interesting story of the Merlin ( and Bernie) here. https://www.madcowprod.com/2014/09/1...was-cia-plane/
Interesting story of the Merlin ( and Bernie) here. https://www.madcowprod.com/2014/09/1...was-cia-plane/
light sentence with no jail time and drug smuggling and turns up again and the cops know everything. Join the dots
601, Are you assuming they refuelled in Bulolo? Not a chance my contacts tell me there is no Avgas fuel in Bulolo. They would have to drive fuel from Lae in drums. Difficult for a white man to do that.
So, in order to speed up the enquiry we need to use the 'rubber hose', brass knuckles, thumb screws, to find out where they landed between Monto and Bulolo on their way to PNG, because round trip Monto to Bulolo to Monto is greater distance than Oaklands, California to Hilo, Hawaii, requiring massive ferry tanks. With 3 on board?? the flight there would not leave much space for anything unless they did a Cutmore job and took Jerry cans to top off with at Bulolo.
Lot of unanswered questions .. but with poor reporting in PNG, a very weak front line defence in Northern Australia, this indicates how ineffective surveillance is.
Well done to the various police forces involved, and well done to the PNG Police and to the local villagers in Bulolo.
So, in order to speed up the enquiry we need to use the 'rubber hose', brass knuckles, thumb screws, to find out where they landed between Monto and Bulolo on their way to PNG, because round trip Monto to Bulolo to Monto is greater distance than Oaklands, California to Hilo, Hawaii, requiring massive ferry tanks. With 3 on board?? the flight there would not leave much space for anything unless they did a Cutmore job and took Jerry cans to top off with at Bulolo.
Lot of unanswered questions .. but with poor reporting in PNG, a very weak front line defence in Northern Australia, this indicates how ineffective surveillance is.
Well done to the various police forces involved, and well done to the PNG Police and to the local villagers in Bulolo.
Assuming no ferry tanks in the Baron, useful range of say around 900 nm. Using that number as the round trip should narrow down the possibilities for anyone who can be bothered to draw circles on a map.
Could it be that 52kg was their payment for the job? Surely the observers in Bulolo would have noted where the cargo was loaded.
Could it be that 52kg was their payment for the job? Surely the observers in Bulolo would have noted where the cargo was loaded.
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lucille,
I think you just it the nail on the head !
I tend to think you are correct and the main 'booty' is somewhere between Horn Is. and Monto!
I think you just it the nail on the head !
I tend to think you are correct and the main 'booty' is somewhere between Horn Is. and Monto!
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The National 24 March 2023
AUSTRALIAN police seized more than A$15 million (about K35 million) worth of methamphetamine (meth) and arrested five men on Tuesday.
The Australians had flown the drug from Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s Bulolo in the dark and at an unauthorised low altitude with their aircraft’s transponder switched off to avoid radar detection.
Four of the five men are from New South Wales (NSW) and they were charged in a magistrate’s court in Bundaberg on Wednesday with importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, if convicted.
The Australian federal police (AFP), NSW and Queensland police, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary in a joint statement said the methamphetamine had an estimated street value of more than AUD$15 million (about K35 million).
Police alleged that the men were transnational serious organised crime (TSOC) members who handled the practical arrangements for the methamphetamine to be imported on board a black flight from PNG to rural Queensland.
Police alleged that once the flight landed in Queensland, the aircraft would be refuelled and flown to NSW.
Three of those arrested allegedly provided ground support for the flight and had staged themselves in Queensland since February in preparation for the flight.
The two pilots who allegedly flew the black flight were also charged.
The investigation was part of Operation Gepard, which is a joint investigation with the AFP, NSW police Strike Force Redground and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (Operation Nashton).
Police alleged that on Monday the pilot, a 51-year-old Fairy Meadow man, and co-pilot, a 52-year-old Tahmoor man, flew a twin-engine Beechcraft light aircraft from Wilton, a rural area south west of Sydney, to an airstrip in the central Queensland town of Monto where they refuelled.
Police then allege that at about midnight on Tuesday, both pilots flew from Monto to Bulolo in PNG which is more than 250km north-west of Port Moresby.
Police alleged that the pilots flew the aircraft at an unauthorised low altitude with the aircraft’s transponder switched off during the return journey in an effort to avoid radar detection.
Police alleged the pilots collected 52kg of methamphetamine in Bulolo and then returned to the airstrip at Monto on Tuesday when AFP arrested them.
Their actions were monitored by PNG police Transnational Crime Unit from Lae.
All five men were arrested by specialist AFP and Queensland police shortly after the plane arrived at the Monto airstrip on Tuesday afternoon. Police located and seized five duffle bags concealed in the plane, containing the methamphetamine.
The AFP, NSW police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission had been monitoring the alleged NSW-based criminal syndicate which has significant international links for some time.
It will be alleged that the TSOC syndicate were attempting to create a supply chain for delivering illicit drugs to Australia using black flights.
The AFP worked with PNG Police Commissioner David Manning, who on request from the AFP, provided support for the investigation.
PNG police monitored the alleged black flight through PNG air space to Bulolo and its return to Australia on Tuesday.
Investigations into how the drugs originally entered PNG are ongoing.
This black flight is not the first attempt by alleged TSOC members to transport illegal substances from PNG into Australia.
In 2020, an alleged black flight carrying 550kg of cocaine attempted to leave PNG but crashed when trying to take off.
Meanwhile, a Chinese man was arrested at Lae’s Nadzab Airport yesterday after police tracked him from Bulolo to Lae.
Deputy Police Commissioner (Special Operations) Donald Yamasombi said it was alleged that the Chinese national was involved in the transportation of the 52kg of methamphetamine to Australia.
Manning said the seizure and arrests highlighted PNG police’s commitment to keep the country and Pacific free from the scourge of narcotics.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Eastern Command Stephen Dametto said the charges highlighted the lengths alleged criminal syndicates would go to get illicit drugs to Australia.
“The way these criminal syndicates allegedly imported this methamphetamine to Australia was dangerous,” he added. “These charges are extremely serious, but equally, allegedly flying an unregistered, low-level flight, across thousands of kilometres is dangerous.
“These men have not only allegedly imported a dangerous drug, but flying at a low altitude without proper monitoring systems poses a huge safety risk to other aircraft and to emergency services members in the event of an incident.
“Methamphetamine is a dangerous, illegal drug that causes so much harm to the community and first-line responders, such as paramedics, nurses and police,” he added.
AUSTRALIAN police seized more than A$15 million (about K35 million) worth of methamphetamine (meth) and arrested five men on Tuesday.
The Australians had flown the drug from Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s Bulolo in the dark and at an unauthorised low altitude with their aircraft’s transponder switched off to avoid radar detection.
Four of the five men are from New South Wales (NSW) and they were charged in a magistrate’s court in Bundaberg on Wednesday with importing a commercial quantity of methamphetamine and face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, if convicted.
The Australian federal police (AFP), NSW and Queensland police, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary in a joint statement said the methamphetamine had an estimated street value of more than AUD$15 million (about K35 million).
Police alleged that the men were transnational serious organised crime (TSOC) members who handled the practical arrangements for the methamphetamine to be imported on board a black flight from PNG to rural Queensland.
Police alleged that once the flight landed in Queensland, the aircraft would be refuelled and flown to NSW.
Three of those arrested allegedly provided ground support for the flight and had staged themselves in Queensland since February in preparation for the flight.
The two pilots who allegedly flew the black flight were also charged.
The investigation was part of Operation Gepard, which is a joint investigation with the AFP, NSW police Strike Force Redground and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (Operation Nashton).
Police alleged that on Monday the pilot, a 51-year-old Fairy Meadow man, and co-pilot, a 52-year-old Tahmoor man, flew a twin-engine Beechcraft light aircraft from Wilton, a rural area south west of Sydney, to an airstrip in the central Queensland town of Monto where they refuelled.
Police then allege that at about midnight on Tuesday, both pilots flew from Monto to Bulolo in PNG which is more than 250km north-west of Port Moresby.
Police alleged that the pilots flew the aircraft at an unauthorised low altitude with the aircraft’s transponder switched off during the return journey in an effort to avoid radar detection.
Police alleged the pilots collected 52kg of methamphetamine in Bulolo and then returned to the airstrip at Monto on Tuesday when AFP arrested them.
Their actions were monitored by PNG police Transnational Crime Unit from Lae.
All five men were arrested by specialist AFP and Queensland police shortly after the plane arrived at the Monto airstrip on Tuesday afternoon. Police located and seized five duffle bags concealed in the plane, containing the methamphetamine.
The AFP, NSW police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission had been monitoring the alleged NSW-based criminal syndicate which has significant international links for some time.
It will be alleged that the TSOC syndicate were attempting to create a supply chain for delivering illicit drugs to Australia using black flights.
The AFP worked with PNG Police Commissioner David Manning, who on request from the AFP, provided support for the investigation.
PNG police monitored the alleged black flight through PNG air space to Bulolo and its return to Australia on Tuesday.
Investigations into how the drugs originally entered PNG are ongoing.
This black flight is not the first attempt by alleged TSOC members to transport illegal substances from PNG into Australia.
In 2020, an alleged black flight carrying 550kg of cocaine attempted to leave PNG but crashed when trying to take off.
Meanwhile, a Chinese man was arrested at Lae’s Nadzab Airport yesterday after police tracked him from Bulolo to Lae.
Deputy Police Commissioner (Special Operations) Donald Yamasombi said it was alleged that the Chinese national was involved in the transportation of the 52kg of methamphetamine to Australia.
Manning said the seizure and arrests highlighted PNG police’s commitment to keep the country and Pacific free from the scourge of narcotics.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Eastern Command Stephen Dametto said the charges highlighted the lengths alleged criminal syndicates would go to get illicit drugs to Australia.
“The way these criminal syndicates allegedly imported this methamphetamine to Australia was dangerous,” he added. “These charges are extremely serious, but equally, allegedly flying an unregistered, low-level flight, across thousands of kilometres is dangerous.
“These men have not only allegedly imported a dangerous drug, but flying at a low altitude without proper monitoring systems poses a huge safety risk to other aircraft and to emergency services members in the event of an incident.
“Methamphetamine is a dangerous, illegal drug that causes so much harm to the community and first-line responders, such as paramedics, nurses and police,” he added.
It doesn't say much for our air defence system that this 'black flight' presumably landed somewhere en route for fuel and possibly dumped some of the drugs, then continued inside Australian territory. The RAAF shoulda intercepted it the moment it was somewhere where it could be forced down. Or better still, shot it down.
What’s even more worrying is the presence of meth now in PNG. I’m not sure their societies can cope with the use of and subsequent addiction to meth. Dreadful.
Now its drugs, back in the 60's and 70's it was wildlife. Well known at the time aviation identity who I knew was nabbed when a RAAF C-130 inbound to Darwin asked for traffic, when told "none" he replied he was painting a target on radar. Turned out to be the identity smuggling wildlife to somewhere in Indonesia with his Beech (owned an A36 and Baron).
Folk may recall Donald Tait who crashed his Aero Commander near Katherine in 1978 when smuggling marijuana, detected by Darwin radar and chased by a RAAF C-130.
Folk may recall Donald Tait who crashed his Aero Commander near Katherine in 1978 when smuggling marijuana, detected by Darwin radar and chased by a RAAF C-130.