26 September 2023

Fancy a crook yacht for Christmas?

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A $560,000 yacht allegedly used in a foiled attempt to import almost one tonne of illicit drugs into Western Australia is set to go under the auctioneer’s hammer.

WA Police Force initially seized the Sail Yacht Zero (SY Zero) in September as part of a joint law enforcement operation.

The 17-metre yacht has subsequently been subject to Commonwealth confiscation laws by the Australian Federal Police and will be auctioned next month (December) by the Official Trustee in Bankruptcy.

The investigation identified the vessel was allegedly involved in the transportation of around 900 kilograms of cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine, which were found on Burton Island – about 60km west of Geraldton – on 3 September 2019.

Police said the vessel was seized and five men were arrested on serious drugs charges.

The Official Trustee has launched an online auction for the yacht, but prospective buyers are able to view the vessel in Geraldton on 30 November and 1 December, before bidding closes on 10 December.

While a 2010 Jeanneau 57 DS Sun Odyssey Yacht fetches about $560,000 on the marine market, the auction will be seeking bids over $95,000.

The vessel sustained some damage when the skipper failed to navigate the WA coastline and struck a reef – sparking the sea search that resulted in the unravelling of the alleged drug smuggling enterprise.

AFP Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) National Coordinator, Detective Superintendent, Kate Ferry said the seizure of the yacht was thanks to the coordinated efforts of a number of law enforcement agencies.

“The AFP, Australian Border Force, WA Police Force, Department of Home Affairs, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and AUSTRAC have all played a crucial role in this outcome,” she said.

“While the yacht may not be in a pristine condition, its purchase will give the new owner an interesting tale to tell,” she said.

The five men arrested are next due to face Perth Magistrates Court on 17 January 2020.

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