Baggaley, 48, was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury in April 2021 of attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug in July 2018 and imprisoned for 25 years.

Baggaley was allegedly intercepted by the navy in July 2018 after using a seven-metre inflatable boat to pick up 650kg of cocaine from a ship 360km off Australia’s east coast.

Justice David Boddice handed down orders in the Court of Appeal in Brisbane on Friday that Baggaley’s appeal had been allowed.

Baggaley’s conviction will be set aside and a retrial will be ordered.

Baggaley is a three-time kayaking world champion and won two silver medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The Court of Appeal previously heard that Baggaley should not have been convicted as he could not be tied to an encrypted messaging app user called ‘Thunderbutt’ who allegedly organised the cocaine importation.

When police searched Baggaley’s northern NSW home, one phone officers found and were able access had the same app as ‘Thunderbutt’ but used the name ‘Big Boy’.

Baggaley, who represented himself, told the Court of Appeal in November 2023 there was no suggestion that phone was involved in the alleged importation plot.

“There was no evidence in the trial that ‘Big Boy’ (has) done anything. That’s where I have an issue with (Justice Ann Lyons) … she has found me to be ‘Thunderbutt’ on that phone,” Baggaley said.

Justice Boddice said on Friday the Court of Appeal’s reasons would be published at a later time.

Nathan’s brother Dru was previously convicted for the same alleged offence and jailed for 28 years but successfully appealed his conviction in December 2023.

Dru Baggaley’s barrister told the Court of Appeal his client had been “tricked” by a third co-accused and thought he was being recruited to handle illegal tobacco.

Dru Baggaley is likely to find out on Friday whether he will be granted bail ahead of his retrial.