A Hunter electrician who is one of five charged after a massive $623m cocaine bust on a 13-metre leisure boat off a small mid-north coast town has been granted conditional bail after successful submissions by Paul McGirr.
Cardiff electrician Cooper Hollingworth, 24, applied for bail, igniting a lengthy debate between Mr McGirr and the opposing police prosecutor, who attempted to file a different set of facts, new evidence and play news articles, none of which had been served on the defendant prior.
Hollingworth is one of five men arrested on May 9 after police raided a 13-metre cruiser Sea Ray as it was heading towards the port at South West Rocks. On-board, police will allege they found $623m of cocaine in a number of bales onboard.
Paul McGirr told Coffs Harbour Local Court that while his client was on board the vessel, and police surveillance showed him getting supplies and pulling anchor, the Crown case against his client was “not strong”.
“There’s nothing to suggest he knew what was in those black bales,” Mr McGirr said, also noting the lack of Hollingworth’s DNA on the packages and the fact he was surveilled leaving the harbour with spearfishing equipment.
The court heard that Hollingworth had no criminal record, had regular work and was supported by his fiancee in court, while he appeared from Clarence Correctional Centre.
His Honour Magistrate Linden granted bail with a cash surety of $150,000, noting Hollingworth’s passport had already been seized and was to remain with the police.
The matter returns to court on August 26, 2025.
