A two-year international operation has resulted in the arrest of a 44-year-old Queensland man in the Philippines for the purpose of extradition to Australia to face outstanding drug importation charges.
This matter is now before Philippine authorities.
The AFP investigation to locate the man began in September 2015 when the man failed to appear in the Queensland Supreme Court for trial. The man and three Colombian nationals were facing charges associated with an alleged conspiracy to import more than 71 kilograms of cocaine from Colombia in 2011.
An arrest warrant was issued and, subsequently, property and cash totaling $395,000 (which was provided to secure his bail) was forfeited to the court.
The man was located in the Philippines, and action was taken with the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to secure his urgent arrest for the purposes of extradition.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan said the location and arrest of the man was a testament to the AFP’s strong global network and policing partnerships across South East Asia.
“We greatly value the assistance provided by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in this matter,” Assistant Commissioner Gaughan said.
“Our liaison officers have worked closely with the NBI to confirm the location of the man and were permitted to be present when the man was finally arrested.
“This arrest sends a strong message to would-be fugitives – our reach across the globe is second to none and we will use all our contacts and relationships to find you and bring you before a court.”