Lead
A Queensland man has been found guilty of helping his father import cocaine into the Port of Newcastle, in a case that involved two Brazilian divers and a deadly discovery in May 2022.
James Lake-Kusviandy Blee, 24, was convicted on Wednesday after a jury deliberated for more than a week following a two-week trial in the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney. He had pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting his father, James Blake Blee, in a drug operation.
The case centres on an attempt to retrieve a commercial quantity of cocaine from a bulk carrier docked in Newcastle. Police seized packages that had washed ashore on May 9, 2022, alongside the body of one of the divers, identified as Bruno Borges Martins. Another diver, Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva, remains missing.
Coverage Comparison
The ABC's coverage of the trial has been consistent across multiple reports, though the focus has shifted as events unfolded. Initial reporting highlighted the prosecution's allegations that Blee junior played a role in the operation, with one report describing the operation as "deadly" due to the diver's death. A subsequent report quoted Blee junior telling the court his father "led a double life," while the final report confirmed the guilty verdict.
All reports agree on the core facts: the father pleaded guilty to importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and smuggling two Brazilian divers into Australia. They also note that James Blake Blee was sentenced in 2024 to a maximum of 11 years and three months in prison for the drug importation offence, with a non-parole period of seven years and three months.
Key Claims
The prosecution, led by Commonwealth Crown Prosecutor Katrina Curry, alleged that Blee senior and junior made various arrangements to retrieve a package of drugs secreted in the ship's hull, an area known as the sea chest. The father's role, according to the Crown, was to organise the operation, purchase equipment, and coordinate diving activity. The son acted as a runner, organising transport and equipment.
The defence, represented by barrister Daniel Pace, argued there was no direct evidence that Blee junior knew about the drugs. Blee junior denied any wrongdoing, telling the jury he believed he was running errands for a salvage operation. He said his father only revealed the true nature of the job after the divers went missing, apologising and explaining that "people asked him to get this package and it went wrong."
The jury heard that Blee senior messaged his son about a job as early as March 15, 2022. Messages discussed the need for a passport and a meeting with a syndicate member referred to as "Irish." Blee junior acknowledged some messages looked suspicious but said he believed his father was a "normal, regular guy that wouldn't be involved in illegal behaviours."
One claim reported by a single source is that Blee junior purchased fishing rods to create a cover story. This detail was not mentioned in other reports, and its correlation with the trial's broader narrative is unclear.
Perspectives
The prosecution portrayed Blee junior as a willing participant who aided his father's criminal enterprise, providing practical support in the form of errands and equipment. The defence countered by emphasising the lack of direct evidence linking the son to knowledge of the drugs, framing him as a trusting son who was deceived by his father.
Blee junior's own testimony, as reported by ABC, expressed his shock and dismay: "I was never aware of anything illegal about it and now I am here and I am living my worst nightmare because of it." He told the court he sobbed as he described his father's confession after the divers went missing.
The case has drawn attention to the dangers of drug smuggling, particularly the tragic death of diver Bruno Borges Martins, whose body was found in Newcastle Harbour. Police divers continue to search for an additional 200 kilograms of cocaine that remains unaccounted for.
As of this report, sentencing for James Lake-Kusviandy Blee has not yet been scheduled.