A man and a woman, accused of attempting to smuggle a fugitive wanted for serious drug trafficking offenses out of Australia, have been released on bail in Darwin.
Thomas Goertz, 51, a German national, and his partner, Jade Siu Ying Ormiston, 42, from the United Kingdom, were arrested on Australia Day off the coast of the Northern Territory. Both were visiting Australia on tourist visas at the time of their arrest.
The couple was detained by Australian Border Force officers aboard a yacht where they were allegedly hiding fugitive drug trafficker Hussein Chamas. Since their arrests, Mr. Goertz and Ms. Ormiston have remained in custody.
During court proceedings, Commonwealth prosecutor Ingrid Ibbett stated that the prosecution would argue Mr. Goertz actively participated in transporting the fugitive, knowing Chamas was facing serious criminal charges in Sydney. Prosecutors claim Mr. Goertz, an experienced sailor, was well aware of his actions while attempting to evade law enforcement with Chamas on board.
