Chinese Men Deny Trying to Smuggle Cocaine on Ship Seized in Hobart
All 10 Chinese nationals charged over Tasmania’s biggest seizure of cocaine have pleaded not guilty to drug importation charges.
The men were on board a ship allegedly carrying more than 185 kilograms of cocaine.
The Kaiyo Maru No. 8 was intercepted off Tasmania in December and escorted into Hobart.
The Magistrates Court in Hobart heard police have still not been able to identify the owner of the boat or what country’s flag it sails under.
Magistrate Chris Webster knocked back an application by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for the men not to be remanded to appear in Tasmania.
The DPP wanted proceedings moved to Melbourne.
Magistrate Webster ordered the ship be held by authorities for another 90 days.
The men have been remanded in custody to appear in the Supreme Court in Hobart in March.
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Source: ABC
