A 48-year-old mortgage broker from Sydney’s northern beaches had just celebrated a customer service award when his life took a dramatic turn.
Less than a month after posting on LinkedIn about his achievements, Keenan Mickley and his 24-year-old son, Taj, were arrested for allegedly attempting to import 50 kilograms of cocaine, valued at $16 million, from Vietnam, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
They now face life imprisonment if convicted.
According to court documents, the alleged scheme began in May when the Mickleys traveled to Ho Chi Minh City. Soon after their return, Keenan leased a storage unit in Cromer for $35,000 a year.
Investigators allege that the elder Mickley used a former client’s identity on shipping paperwork for a generator hiding the cocaine in its base. Identification belonging to the client was later found at the storage unit where they were apprehended.
In July, Australian Border Force officers at Port Botany inspected the cargo, detecting the concealed drugs. Officers replaced the cocaine with a surveillance device and sent the shipment to a freight company in Revesby. The cargo faced a quarantine delay but was eventually released, SMH reported.
Using the encrypted app Threema, Taj Mickley allegedly communicated with others about the cocaine sale.
“Yeah bro,” he reportedly responded when asked if he was keeping part of the shipment.
Discussions also allegedly included instructions to adjust the price per ounce. However, delays with the shipment led Taj to text, “Yo the f---in truck broke down ... It’s here Monday, will send photos once cracked.”
Upon the generator’s arrival, Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers were watching as the Mickleys unloaded it into their storage unit.
Half an hour later, Keenan allegedly messaged a contact on the encrypted app Signal, “All good brother – about to get to work. Side panels of base right?”
But the response was cut short; AFP officers apprehended the pair soon after a trip to Bunnings to buy tools for dismantling the generator, SMH reported.
Both men face serious charges, including attempting to possess a commercial quantity of cocaine. Taj is scheduled for a court appearance later this month, while Keenan is set to apply for conditional bail in the Supreme Court in December, SMH reported.
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