FOR SALE: One Swearingen Merlin 3 turboprop aircraft, aged 46 years – and believed to have been used to transport drugs into Australia.
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It has called the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) at Albion Park Rail home for almost three years. But now, the plane – and its colourful, Breaking Bad-esque history – could be yours.
The American-registered aircraft was raided for drugs during a dramatic police operation at the Illawarra Regional Airport in July, 2014.
Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad officers coordinated the raid on the then 43-year-old plane, N224HR, which had arrived at the airport two weeks earlier.
No drugs were located.
However, the plane was found to be linked to an international drug and money-laundering syndicate involving Fairy Meadow man Bernhard Stevermuer.
Stevermuer, a licensed pilot, was charged over the plot after it was revealed fellow syndicate members used his Albion Park-based aviation business to buy light aircraft using drug money.
He was responsible for the purchase of the Merlin 3 from the US for $400,000 in early 2013 and piloted it on its flight from the US to Australia, via the Philippines.
Stevermuer was originally sentenced to 19 month’s jail but had his prison term overturned on appeal.
The plane was seized under proceeds of crime legislation and has been in the possession of the NSW Trustee and Guardian (TAG).
The TAG has indicated it wants to sell the plane, as soon as early next year, and HARS president Bob De La Hunty said “a few auction houses” had already been to have a look.
The plane comes without seats – they were removed and replaced with long-range ferry tanks, Mr De La Hunty said.
As for how much it might fetch, he said: “It’d be scrap metal value only, because it’s got no records and it’s so old.”
“As a museum piece it’s displayable, but the reality is without any records it’s not worth anything as an aeroplane,” he said.
The plane’s US registration was an issue that needed to be resolved before its ownership could be transferred to any potential buyer, Mr De La Hunty said.
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Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
