Strike force investigators are continuing to work with global law enforcement agencies to track down more people allegedly involved in a deadly Newcastle cocaine haul as an alleged syndicate member is granted bail.
In May last year, Strike Force Groove was established to investigate the death of Bruno Borges-Martins, 31, who was found with more than 50 kilograms of cocaine bricks strapped to his body in the Port of Newcastle.
Police said an additional 50kg made it into the community.
It was alleged the drugs had been attached to the hull of a bulk carrier called the ARETI.GR, which sailed from Argentina.
Mr Borges-Martins was allegedly smuggled to Australia, along with a second Brazilian national, 32-year-old Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva.
An Interpol alert was issued for Mr Da Silva in the months after the drug smuggling mission failed.
Mr Da Silva's whereabouts are unknown and strike force police would not comment when asked by the ABC if they believed he was alive or dead.
But New South Wales State Crime Command did issue a statement, updating the investigation.
"Investigations under Strike Force Groove are continuing, including efforts to locate 32-year-old Jhoni Fernandes Da Silva," the police statement read.
"The NSW Police Force continues to work with our national and international law enforcement partners as part of the investigation."
The ABC has been told inquiries have been made in Indonesia and in South America.
Arrests and bid for bail
Superyacht tour operator, James Blake Blee, also known as Jimmy, was the first person to be charged in relation to the alleged drug smuggling operation.
Mr Blee is in custody, facing a charge of manslaughter, two counts of people smuggling, and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
In November his son, James Lake-Kusviandy Blee, was charged and was refused bail at the time.
A prosecutor had told Tweed Heads Local Court he "knew what his father was doing and that he assisted on a number of occasions".
The 21-year-old was granted bail in the NSW Supreme Court earlier this week.
His case and that of his father return to court next month.
