Local News

Caught - Exmouth People Smugglers

May 10th, 2001

The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, today announced that the vessel that was allegedly involved in bringing 24 suspected illegal immigrants into Australia on 17 April 2001, in the vicinity of Exmouth in Western Australia, has been impounded at Cocos Island.

"The suspect vessel, the Maria Naranjani, was identified as a result of a joint operation involving the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Customs Coastwatch," Senator Ellison said.

"Coastwatch identified and photographed a vessel in open sea several hundred nautical miles off the coast of Exmouth shortly after the landing south of Exmouth. The intelligence gathered, at that time, was used by the Australian Federal Police to identify the vessel."

"The 9 Sri Lankan member crew of the vessel were subsequently interviewed and have been charged with people smuggling offences pursuant to the Migration Act 1958."

"The crew is expected to appear in court on Cocos Island today and then will be transferred to Perth,” Senator Ellison said.

"I want to congratulate all those involved in this operation which has led to the successful apprehension of these suspected people smugglers. People smuggling is a serious offence and carries a sentence of up to 20 years imprisonment. This apprehension demonstrates the determination of the Commonwealth Government to ensure that people smugglers are caught and prosecuted," Senator Ellison said.

The suspected illegal immigrants remain in the custody of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. The boat will remain in police custody and an application will be made for its forfeiture.