‘Large brief of evidence’ is being prepared by cops against accused Aussie ringleader of bungled cocaine import plot that led to bricks of the drug washing up on beaches

Police are building a “major evidence base” against a man who was allegedly the ringleader of a failed scheme to import 900kg of cocaine into Australia.

Australian Federal Police will allege in court that Daniel Wayne John Roberts, 36, is the Australian leader of the transnational organized crime syndicate that had attempted to import 900kg of cocaine.

However, the botched import job has left rocks of the drug washing up on NSW beaches in recent months.

Mr Roberts is alleged to be responsible for collecting and distributing cocaine and other illicit drugs into Australia, mainly via maritime routes.

He was arrested on April 17 on charges of seven offenses relating to the importation of commercial quantities of drugs and trafficking in proceeds of crime.

The case was briefly discussed in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

The court was told that a ‘large amount of evidence’ was collected by the prosecution.

It was ordered that a partial evidentiary hearing be completed before the next appearance on July 5.

Mr Roberts was arrested as part of Operation Large – a major joint investigation under the Queensland Joint Organized Crime Taskforce (QJOCTF), which also includes the AFP, the Queensland Police Service (QPS), the Australian Border Force, the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Criminal Service. Intelligence Committee.

Daniel Wayne John Roberts was arrested over the alleged failed drug importation scheme

It will further be alleged that Mr Roberts went by the names WANTED and John Dillinger – the same name as the infamous American gangster during the Great Depression – when he used special encrypted communications platforms to outsource drug collection orders.

Mr Roberts is also believed to have played a major role in the importation of almost two tonnes of cocaine last year, which has an estimated total street value of $617.5 million.

He would also have failed to collect 900 kg of cocaine off the coast of Moreton Island in Queensland in November 2023.

That failed import plot resulted in packages of drugs washing up on beaches along New Zealand’s coast in late 2023 and into 2024 beyond.

So far, about 256kg of the suspected 900kg has been seized by NSW Police after washing up on shore.

Up to 213kg of cocaine has been discovered on the coastline between Sydney and Newcastle, with 90kg of this found over the New Year (pictured are some of the packages)

Police will also allege that Mr. Roberts facilitated the importation and collection of approximately 560 kg of cocaine in the Midwest region of Washington in August 2023.

Mr Roberts is also charged with a further 12 crimes for allegedly using violence and threats to collect debts and intimidate rivals by employing criminal associates to attack, bomb, shoot and rip off his customers. to press.

Police have since arrested a second man, Thomas James Pfeffer, in connection with the alleged drug trafficking.

The AFP told NCA NewsWire that Mr Pfeffer was arrested as part of Operation Groot.

Mr Pfeffer was charged with one count of trafficking a commercial quantity of controlled drugs and one count of being concerned in supporting serious organized criminal activity.

His cases were also briefly mentioned in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday, where a bail variation ordering him not to leave Australia was granted.

The issues of Mr Roberts of Aspley and Mr Pfeffer will be heard on July 5. They have yet to enter pleas.