A teenage accused drug trafficker from Sydney is fighting for his freedom as he seeks bail over allegations he helped import more than half a tonne of cocaine off the Western Australian coast.
The Alleged Import Operation
Seth Spiteri, 19, appeared via videolink in Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday as his legal team continued their application for his release. The court heard that Spiteri and two other men travelled from New South Wales to Western Australia on October 31 before making their way to the coastal town of Lancelin, approximately 125 kilometres north of Perth.
Prosecutors allege the group used a boat to retrieve packages containing about 525 kilograms of cocaine that had been deposited in the ocean tens of kilometres offshore by an international livestock carrier. The prosecution told the court that CCTV footage captured Spiteri and his alleged accomplices at Two Rocks Marina over several days, where they supposedly loaded the drugs into a Ford Ranger utility vehicle before transporting them to an undisclosed location.
Police Intervention and Arrest
The teenager first came to police attention on November 3 when he and another man required rescue off the coast of Guilderton after their boat began taking on water. Officers spoke with the pair at the time but released them, allowing Spiteri to return to NSW.
Days later, authorities received reports about suspicious large packages tied to flotation drums floating off the coast. Subsequent investigation revealed these containers held approximately 525kg of cocaine with an estimated street value in the tens of millions.
Bail Battle and Conditions Offered
Spiteri, who maintains his innocence and denies any knowledge or involvement with the drugs, intends to take the matter to trial according to his lawyer. In the interim, he's seeking release from custody to live with his mother in NSW.
His mother has offered to pay a $50,000 surety to support his bail application. The defence proposed that Spiteri would report to Penrith police station three times weekly and abide by a strict curfew if released.
However, prosecutors raised concerns about whether NSW authorities possess adequate resources to ensure compliance with bail conditions. Magistrate Robert Young subsequently adjourned the bail application for one week to allow Spiteri's defence team time to seek assurance from interstate police regarding their capacity to conduct required bail checks.
The matter will return to court on December 5, while three other individuals have also been charged in connection with the substantial drug seizure.
