An Islamic preacher is believed to be among five men arrested in Cairns after police foiled an alleged plot to take a small boat to Indonesia and then fly to Syria to join the Islamic State group.
Police have confirmed the men were arrested in far north Queensland as they towed the dinghy from Melbourne towards Cape York.
It's an alleged plot involving a high-risk sea passage in a seven-metre tinnie.
Police allege the five men planned to take their boat to Indonesia and then fly on to Syria.
According to Attorney-General George Brandis, all five had cancelled passports.
