A fugitive accused of conspiring to import illicit drugs into Australia, charged in July, 2023, following an investigation as part of Operation Ironside, has been found and detained on a boat off the Northern Territory coast.
An arrest warrant was issued for the Sydney man, 35, after he failed to appear in Downing Centre Local Court on 20 January, 2025.
The man had last been seen on 8 January, 2025, at a rehabilitation facility in Swan Bay, NSW, where he was required to reside as part of his bail conditions.
The AFP allege he was a member of a syndicate which used the ANOM platform to import illicit drugs into Australia.
On Saturday night (25 January, 2025), a man fitting the fugitive's description was reportedly seen at East Woody Beach, Nhulunbuy, NT.
He was observed flashing a torch to a yacht anchored nearby. The yacht's crew were observed responding by also flashing a torch.
The yacht was known to AFP investigators and Australian Border Force (ABF) who had been conducting covert surveillance on the vessel.
Northern Territory Police attended the area of the sighting and were unable to locate the man or the yacht.
The AFP and ABF Maritime Border Command deployed a patrol boat on Sunday (26 January, 2025) which intercepted the yacht sailing north in the Arafura Sea. It was subsequently escorted to Nhulunbuy, NT with the support of Northern Territory Police.
The man was subsequently identified as a passenger on the yacht and was taken into custody under the NSW arrest warrant.
He is expected to appear before the Darwin Local Court today (29 January, 2025) where an application to extradite the man to NSW is expected to be made.
The crew of the vessel, a Dutch man, 51, and a United Kingdom woman, 42, will both be charged with a people smuggling offence contrary to section 73.1 of the Criminal Code (Cth).
This offence carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
The Sydney man was originally arrested in July, 2023 at Sydney Airport when he tried to leave Australia. He was charged with:
- One count of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, namely methamphetamine, contrary to section 307.1 and section 11.5 of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of trafficking commercial quantities of a controlled drug, contrary to section 302.2(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of breach of a firearm prohibition order (FPO) by acquiring or possessing a firearm, contrary to section 74(1) of the Firearms Act 1996 (NSW).
He has not been convicted of the charges and the matters remain before court in NSW.
Both drug offences carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, while the maximum penalty for the FPO breach is five years' imprisonment.
AFP Commander Paula Hudson said this result was a testament to the tenacity and expertise of AFP investigators, ABF, and Northern Territory Police.
"We do not give up. The AFP will continue to work relentlessly with our partners to ensure anyone involved in criminality is brought to justice, even if they have other ideas," Commander Hudson said.
"I would like to extend a sincere thanks to the men and women of the AFP who secured this result. I would also like to thank our partners in the ABF and Northern Territory Police Force."
ABF acting Chief Superintendent Sonya Boylan said organised criminals attempted to exploit vulnerable members of the community, in aide of their criminal activities.
"The charges laid on the vessel's crew should serve as a warning. There are serious penalties, including possible jail time, for anyone tempted to facilitate any criminal venture in exchange for a profit," acting Chief Superintendent Boylan said.
"The ABF is positioned across Australia, including in remote regions, where our officers work side by side with law enforcement partners and the local community."
"These relationships are crucial to monitoring for unusual behaviour and ensuring our border is secure from criminals attempting to carry out illegal acts."
Northern Territory Police Force Assistant Commissioner Travis Wurst said this was a phenomenal result which demonstrated the importance of seamless collaboration between agencies.
"I want to commend the quick action taken by all and thank everyone involved in the efficient and safe arrest of this fugitive," AC Wurst said.
"We will continue to partner with the AFP and ABF to disrupt the flow of criminal activity and illicit substances from making its way to our streets."
