This masthead reported in March a group of 15 Chinese men had been asking around Kupang about getting to Australia, but were rebuffed because local fishermen were reluctant.

Acting on a tip-off from the Australian Federal Police, West Timor police interviewed the men, but had to let them go because no offence had been committed by asking questions.

The last local police knew, the group had left the Kupang region and, presumably, returned to China. But Ariasandy said one of these men was among the six discovered on Wednesday.

Other attempts to reach Australia this year have been foiled, including a boat from Vietnam and another from Papua New Guinea that was transporting African men. Trepang, or sea cucumber, fishermen are regularly making it to Australian territory.

The Australian Border Force did not respond to requests for information.