Breakthrough clue in two-year-old disappearance of Brazilian diver involved in cocaine smuggling attempt
A second Brazilian diver involved in a plot to ship millions of dollars worth of cocaine to Australia remains missing and is now presumed dead two years after the fatal smuggling attempt.
NSW Police on Friday released images of two vehicles they believe could be linked to the disappearance of 32-year-old Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva, one of two Brazilian divers involved in the May 2022 scheme.
The body of the other man, 31-year-old Bruno Borges Martins, was found floating in Newcastle Harbor wearing special diving equipment, while 54kg of cocaine was found nearby.
The two Brazilians were smuggled from Indonesia to Australia to pick up cocaine from a bulk carrier docked at the Port of Newcastle.
Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva, 32, (pictured) has been missing for two years after being smuggled into Australia to pick up cocaine from a ship moored in Newcastle Harbor
Police on Friday released images of vehicles that could be linked to Da Silva’s disappearance. A white Mitsubishi Fuso truck was last seen on the M4 motorway at Pennant Hills on May 8, 2022
A Toyota Townace van was traveling with the Fuso and police are also interested in finding him
Detectives believe Martins was working with da Silva to recover the drugs when he died.
It was initially thought his elderly accomplice had escaped with millions of dollars worth of cocaine, but two years after Martins’ death and da Silva’s disappearance, police now believe the missing man is unlikely to be alive.
Organized Crime Commander Peter Faux said investigators wanted closure for da Silva’s family, who had to live with not knowing what happened to him.
In May 2022, more than 50kg of cocaine was found near the body of Brazilian diver Bruno Borges Martins, 31, in Newcastle Harbor (photo police investigating the cocaine bricks)
“We believe there are people who have information that can bring closure to the family two years after his disappearance,” he said.
“I urge anyone with information to speak to us so that Mr. Da Silva’s loved ones don’t have to spend another year wondering what happened to him.”
Police are appealing for information about two vehicles seen together in Sydney’s northwest the night before Martins’ body was found.
A white Mitsubishi Fuso truck, which investigators believe could be linked to Da Silva’s disappearance, was last seen on the M4 motorway at Pennant Hills on May 8, 2022.
He was driving a Toyota Townace van which police are also trying to track down.
Two Australian men have been charged over the cocaine plot and have yet to appear in court.
One of the duo has admitted to smuggling people, but no one has been charged with causing the death of either diver.