Home / Crime and Justice / Stranded Crew Rescued After Escorting Drug Ship to Sydney
Stranded Crew Rescued After Escorting Drug Ship to Sydney
18 Mar
Summary
- Cargo vessel carrying $1 billion cocaine was escorted to Sydney Harbour.
- Crew issued a mayday call due to critically low supplies.
- Eleven crew members remain stranded onboard the vessel.
A cargo vessel, the MV Raider, was escorted into Sydney Harbour on March 18, 2026, after its crew issued a mayday call due to critically low supplies.
French authorities had previously intercepted the vessel in international waters near French Polynesia on January 16, 2026. They discovered approximately 4.8 tonnes of cocaine, with an estimated value exceeding $1 billion. Following the discovery, French officials reportedly disposed of the cocaine and permitted the 11 crew members to continue their journey.
The crew, originating from Honduras and Ecuador, claimed they had picked up the vessel in Panama for delivery to Australia. However, the situation deteriorated, leading the captain to issue a mayday call off Port Kembla on Thursday night, as the ship ran dangerously low on essential provisions and fuel.
NSW Police responded, escorting the vessel to Sydney Harbour where it is now anchored. The 11 crew members have not been arrested or charged but remain stranded onboard, with concerns raised by the International Transport Workers' Federation regarding their urgent need for repatriation and the critical depletion of their food and water supplies.
