An Indonesian man has pleaded guilty in Australia's Northern Territory Supreme Court to smuggling more than 300 people into Australia by boat in 1999.

The court heard that Achmad Olong brought the boat to Ashmore Reef where it was stopped by the Australian Navy.

Most of those onboard were Iraqi professionals.

The prosecution says the boarding party was confronted by an overpowering stench of rubbish, and immediately set up a makeshift hospital to treat several ill people.

Olong was extradited from Thailand this year.

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