Death exposes tourism stalwart’s fugitive past

Death exposes tourism stalwart’s fugitive past

In a bizarre twist worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, it has been revealed a Qld tour operator was actually a dope smuggling infamous American fugitive who had previously faked his own death.

Crocodile cruise operator, Dennis “Lee” Lafferty had been running Daintree River Cruise Centre, ferrying tourists from Cairns to Cape Tribulation for the past 28 years, but in a previous life, literally, he had been indicted in a US court for smuggling 12 tonne of marijuana before ‘disappearing’ more than 40 years ago.

Dennis "Lee" Lafferty

Lee, 78, died for the second time last month in a car crash and had been well-known as a conservationist in the Port Douglas tourism sector, with its local mayor calling him a “pioneer” in the Daintree tourism industry, News.com.au reports.

Three days after his death a US journalist for the Tampa Bay Times broke the news about his true identity to his ex-wife based in America, the paper reports.

The journalist revealed Lafferty’s real name was Raymond Grady Stansel and in 1974, Stansel was arrested with US$25,000 in cash, receipts for two US$25,000 Rolex watches, signed blank tourist visas and unused cheques linked to a Swiss bank account along with an indictment for drug smuggling.

After posting bail he then “disappeared” during a scuba accident near Honduras, the Times reported.

According to various reports, nobody in Australia knew of his double life until his death last month.

Image: ABC News / news.com.au

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]