Are These Men On Terror Watch Leaving Australia By Boat To Join Syrian Extremist Groups?

Five men currently on the terror watch have been apprehended in Cairns, Queensland after they were suspected of trying to leave Australia by boat. The police believe that they are trying to leave Australia and head for Syria to join extremist groups.

No Passports, No Problem?

According to CNN, the passports of all five men have been cancelled. However, this did not stop them in their attempt to leave Australia by sea. The men were found in possession of a seven-meter (23 ft.) fiberglass cabin cruiser, which only contained one case of bottled water.

"We have information to suggest these men had purchased a boat in Victoria, and had driven to far north Queensland, where their intention was to depart Australia," Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan said during a press conference. In addition to that, Gaughan stated that the AFP has been investigating the five men for "a number of weeks" before they were arrested in Cairns.

The Grand Plan

It is believed that the men intended to leave Australia on the boat and take their first stop in Indonesia before continuing to Syria (via Seven News). Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton offered some insight on what the suspects were planning to do.

"This is a serious attempt by five men, who are of security interest to us, who have had their passports canceled, in attempting to exit Australia, so that they can make their way through boat," Patton said. "And then ultimately, we are investigating the intention to possibly end up in Syria to fight."

None of the five men had previous terror offenses. However, the AFP, VP and the Queensland Police Service said in the joint statement that they had "potential offenses against the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act, specifically those concerning incursions into foreign countries to engage in hostile activities." All five men are currently in police custody in Australia.