Feb 24 • 08:18 UTC 🇦🇺 Australia ABC News AU

Man who ferried multi-million-dollar cocaine haul 'doing mate a favour'

Eli Joseph Wapau was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a significant cocaine trafficking operation in Australia, claiming he was merely doing a favor for a friend.

Eli Joseph Wapau, aged 41, has been sentenced to six years in prison for trafficking 110 kilograms of cocaine into Australia. Wapau was arrested alongside Patterson Mosby at Seisia wharf in far north Queensland while they were in the process of loading the cocaine into a car. This arrest is part of a larger investigation into drug trafficking through the Torres Strait, signaling the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating drug smuggling in remote regions of the country.

During the proceedings, Wapau's defense claimed that he was not financially benefitting from the drug operation and that he was merely doing a favor for a friend. However, the sheer quantity of cocaine involved—valued at several million dollars—illustrates the serious nature of the crime. The Australian federal police have been actively targeting drug trafficking routes in northern Australia, particularly those linked to the Torres Strait, where criminal networks often operate. This case highlights the complexities of drug enforcement in these sparsely populated areas.

Another individual, Jamal Kris, is expected to face charges next month in connection with the cocaine trafficking scheme. The authorities are likely to continue their investigations into this drug operation, as it reveals significant links between local offenders and larger drug syndicates. The outcomes of this case will further underscore the judicial system's response to drug offenses in the region, aiming to deter similar crimes and enhance community safety.

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