HI-TECH SECRETS OF DRUG SHIP

BELYING its rusty exterior, the bridge of impounded drug smuggling
vessel Uniana is lined with high-tech radar, navigation and
communications equipment.

In pictures taken aboard the freighter and obtained by The Daily
Telegraph, the 20-year-old ship is shown to house sophisticated
electronics. Immaculately presented engines and a portable runabout
hidden under a deck cover.

The Belize-registered ship features an autopilot, course setting
device, emergency port and starboard steering, magnetic compasses,
radar and a weather fax machine.

The state-of-the art global positioning system (GPS) reportedly on
board is not shown but could he carried in a pocket, experts said.

The pictures also reveal the day-to-day cabin living of the crew
before their arrest last week in an Australian Federal Police
operation on the NSW mid-north coast which was two months in the making.

Coke cans, distilled water, coathangers and posters of favourite
pin-up girls still adorn cabins - relics of the trip from Asia's
Golden Triangle heroin production region.

Maritime experts yesterday said the pilot equipment on the boat which
carried 420kg of heroin was well-maintained and up-to-date. In sharp
contrast to other standard vessels the Uniana's age. "The engines are
well looked after and look like they have good power to get up and get
going," an ex-naval officer of 11 years said.

"It would have a few more oil spills and leaks in a standard merchant
vessel."

He said the equipment appeared to be of sufficient standard to deter
queries if stopped by maritime officials.

The boat was seized last Wednesday in a covert operation by Australian
Federal police after docking off the coast at Grants Beach on October
12.

Police, whose suspicions were triggered by a search of an airport
traveller on August 7, believe the ship left Hong Kong in about
mid-August year and followed a route through South-East Asia and
Indonesia, continuing down the east coast of Australia.

Eighteen Indonesians and Hong Kong Chinese have been charged with
importing the heroin or being knowingly concerned in the
importation.

A number also were charged with possessing the drug.

They have all been remanded In custody to appear in court again on
December 11.

Hong Kong police have been contacted to investigate links with a
notorious Hong Kong trafficker believed responsible for an earlier
large importation of the drug into Australia.

Investigations by the Austmilan Federal Police are
continuing.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady