Australian authorities have detained the crew of the MV Raider, a vessel intercepted in the Pacific Ocean carrying nearly 5 tonnes of cocaine. This morning, officers from the Australian Border Force (ABF) boarded the ship and took all 11 crew members into custody, transferring them to an immigration detention center. The MV Raider has been under ABF surveillance since January 2026, although no specific reasons for the crew’s detention have been disclosed.
Earlier this year, French Polynesian authorities intercepted the ship in international waters but allowed it to continue to Australia after the crew disposed of the drugs at sea in a “catch and release” operation. The vessel is currently moored at Snails Bay in Sydney Harbour, where the crew, comprised of Ecuadorian and Honduran nationals, has remained since their arrival on Friday. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has expressed concern for the crew’s welfare and is focused on ensuring they receive fair treatment and due process during their detention.
ITF’s Australian coordinator, Ian Bray, indicated that the crew’s detention is likely for repatriation purposes and emphasized the organization’s commitment to monitoring the situation. Bray also mentioned that the ITF aims to secure visitation rights for inspectors and assess whether the crew may need legal representation as further developments arise.
The MV Raider’s crew had signed contracts in December, indicating that the vessel was to be delivered to new owners in Australia. However, a Brisbane-based manufacturer, Rosenbauer, identified as the new owner, denied any association with the ship. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has not commented on the situation, but legal experts note that Australian authorities lack jurisdiction over the cocaine seizure conducted by French officials in international waters.
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