Five Hunter Men Face Life Imprisonment Over Massive Cocaine Import Plot
Prosecutors have finalised serious charges against five men from the Hunter region, who are accused of being key players in a syndicate that attempted to smuggle more than a tonne of cocaine into Australia. The alleged operation, which involved a luxury motor cruiser and had an estimated potential street value of $623.4 million, represents one of the largest cocaine seizures in the country for 2025.
Dramatic Arrests at Sea and On Shore
The case centres on events from May 9 last year, when law enforcement agencies intercepted a 13-metre Sea Ray motor cruiser about nine nautical miles off Nambucca Heads. On board, police arrested Jacob Malcolm, 27, of Merewether, and Cooper Hollingworth, 26, an electrician from New Lambton. According to investigators, Malcolm was wearing a wetsuit and Hollingworth was soaking wet, leading detectives to allege the pair served as the catching crew for the illicit importation.
Simultaneously, authorities apprehended three other men alleged to be the on-shore co-ordinators. Rodney Hill, 35, of Belmont North, Luke Hazell, 29, of Edgeworth, and Chaiwat Thipsing, 29, of Beresfield were taken into custody after police stopped two vehicles attempting to leave the South West Rocks area.
Massive Drug Haul and Investigation Details
Upon searching the luxury vessel, officers from the Marine Area Command discovered dozens of tightly wrapped black bags containing 1100 blocks of cocaine. The total weight exceeded one tonne, which police estimate equates to more than a million individual hits of the drug. The vessel was reportedly heading back towards South West Rocks when it was intercepted.
The investigation, dubbed Strike Force Blaine, was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies including the Organised Crime Squad, Australian Federal Police, and the NSW Crime Commission. Police intelligence initially focused on the suspicious purchase of the boat using a large sum of cash in Sydney's Sutherland Shire on April 28. From there, investigators monitored the group's movements as they travelled north along the NSW coastline.
Following the arrests, authorities executed search warrants at properties in Beresfield, Edgeworth, Belmont North, Cardiff South, and Catherine Hill Bay. During these raids, police seized communications devices, cash, documents, and clothing believed to be connected to the alleged syndicate.
Court Proceedings and Serious Charges
All five men had their matters mentioned in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Tuesday, where prosecutors confirmed the finalisation of charges to be heard in the NSW District Court. Each defendant will face a primary charge of supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, with allegations that they participated in a joint criminal enterprise to disseminate the drugs. This charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Additionally, the men will face a back-up charge of participating in a criminal group and contributing to criminal activity. Four of the accused were granted conditional bail last year, while Jacob Malcolm remains in custody awaiting further proceedings.
The case is scheduled to return to Coffs Harbour Local Court in March, where the defendants may enter formal pleas. This prosecution highlights the ongoing efforts by Australian law enforcement to combat sophisticated drug importation networks operating along the nation's coastline.
