Dramatic moment cops board ‘slave boat’ as fisherman is charged with torturing his deckhands who were so terrified they jumped into croc-infested waters to escape their boss
A fisherman has been accused of torture and slavery against sailors on his fishing boats. Police allege he assaulted and threatened crew members and withheld food and water.
Cairns detectives have charged the Karumba man, 47, with 46 offenses following an extensive investigation in Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria.
Search warrants were executed at the man’s address in Karumba and four fishing vessels.
Various objects, including an illegal firearm, were reportedly found on board.
The man is charged with 18 counts of common assault, 10 counts of assault occasioning bodily harm, three counts of assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, five counts of torture and slavery and one count of theft.
A fisherman has been accused of torture and slavery against sailors on his fishing boats (pictured)
He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on February 9.
The arrest puts an end to Operation Victor Diabelli, which the police launched in 2023 following reports of the alleged assaults.
Queensland Police Acting Inspector Jason Chetham said it was alleged the victims were forced to sleep on the open deck of the boat and were denied pay.
He said some of the alleged complainants were so scared for their lives that they dived from the boats and swam through crocodile and shark infested waters to the mainland.
“We allege that they have certainly been exploited and manipulated and, in some cases, physically assaulted by this individual,” Inspector Chetham told the ABC on Wednesday.
“Young people working on those boats trying to make a living… we claim conditions were terrible for them.”
Inspector Chetham said the offenses are believed to have occurred between 2020 and 2023 and some boats were on the water for ‘weeks’ at a time.
“(The man is) a large individual, and he is the skipper of the boat, so that brings a lot of authority and their employer, so I would suggest they were very vulnerable,” he said.
The police are calling on more witnesses and victims to come forward.
Cairns detectives have charged a 47-year-old Karumba man with 46 offenses following an extensive investigation in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The photo shows a police officer on one of the boats
Detective Sergeant Bradley McLeish said the community can be assured that all complaints will be fully investigated.
“If you have any information that could support this investigation, we would like to hear from you,” he said.
“Victims who may face harassment or intimidation when speaking to police can be assured that all perpetrators will be held accountable for their actions.
“Anyone who threatens potential witnesses or victims can expect a visit from investigators very soon.”