A 55-year-old male has been arrested in the Northern Territory and extradited to Victoria in relation to an interstate arrest warrant.
On Wednesday 29 October, the Northern Territory Police Force's Financial Crimes Section Detectives executed a search warrant on two male tourists at a holiday park in Howard Springs.
Detectives were investigating information from Batchelor Police that two male tourists travelling in a camper van had allegedly attempted to mix counterfeit currency with legitimate currency during gambling activities. Further reports identified the same two males attempting similar activities in Howard Springs, Berry Springs and Humpty Doo.
As a result of these investigations, a 55-year-old male was issued a Notice to Appear for possessing prescription medication without a script. No counterfeit currency was located during the search.
Subsequent police investigations identified the 55-year-old was allegedly utilising fake identification and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Victoria. Between Wednesday 29 and Friday 31 October, extensive joint agency efforts were made to locate the male.
The Fugitive Task Force took carriage of the investigation, and he was subsequently arrested on Tuesday 4 November by Avon Downs police members after being identified travelling with another male towards Queensland. Two mobile phones and cash were also seized.
Yesterday, he was extradited from Alice Springs by Detectives from the Victorian Police Clandestine Laboratory Squad in relation to commercial drug manufacturing charges in Victoria.
Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference NTP2500108958. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
