‘Black flight’ smugglers jailed over $17m drug plot

Two members of a “black flight” drug syndicate that smuggled $17 million worth of methamphetamine from Papua New Guinea into Australia have been jailed.

The smugglers hatched a plan to fly a twin-engine Beechcraft plane into the historic gold mining town of Bulolo in the mountain ranges of Papua New Guinea’s Morobe Province.

The two men piloted the unauthorized flight from the regional town of Monto, northwest of Brisbane, to Bulolo.

After landing safely at the PNG airstrip, they loaded five duffel bags full of methamphetamine.

Inside were 87 plastic bags containing a white crystalline substance weighing 71.5 kg.

Later tests revealed that the pure weight of the drugs was 56.98 kg.

The men allegedly collected meth and hid it in the nose cone of the plane before embarking on a “black flight” return to Australia, flying at low altitude with the transponder turned off to avoid detection.

The cargo was destined for NSW but authorities were waiting when the return leg of the flight landed at Monto for refueling on March 21, 2023.

Two of the five smugglers, co-pilot John Otto Horvath, 55, and ground support provider Peter David Payne, 57, pleaded guilty to charges of importing a commercial quantity of drugs in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Tuesday.

Two other union members had previously been sentenced for their roles in the elaborate plan.

Judge Rebecca Treston said Horvath and Payne were far from the top of the union hierarchy and had no idea about the amount of drugs smugglers were bringing into Australia.

“I accept that you did not finance any aspect of the import and were not particularly effective in its organisation.”

Horvath was hired for his piloting skills and was able to get a share of the profits.

“You had a significant role in the actual movement of drug importation,” Judge Treston said.

“I accept that you did not involve anyone in the venture, but were in fact recruited yourself.

“But you helped fly the plane to Papua New Guinea, allowed the drugs to be packed onto the plane, and then flew the plane back to Monto.”

Payne was living with another smuggler and could not grasp the extent of the import scheme.

Judge Treston said: “However, your conduct was objectively beyond reckless, especially when you became aware of the true nature of the importation.” he said.

Payne made no secret of his movements, using his own car to transport fuel and even booking accommodation in his own name.

“It could probably best be described as logistical support… you were both due to receive a financial reward for your participation in the importation of drugs into this country,” Judge Treston said.

Horvath was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 10 years.

Payne was given a lesser sentence of eight years and will be eligible for release after five years.