A wanted fugitive who failed to appear before a Sydney Court six months ago has been arrested in Victoria by a highly-skilled AFP fugitive strike team.
The Australian national, 59, was arrested by the AFP's Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST) today (7 December, 2021), near the Victorian town of Gisborne, after a six month long investigation to identify his whereabouts.
The man was originally arrested in Port Douglas by Queensland Police in August 2020 on fraud-related charges and was remanded in custody.
He was granted bail in NSW in March 2021 under strict conditions, which included wearing an electronic monitoring device.
On 20 May 2021, he failed to appear for a scheduled plea hearing and the court mandated electronic monitoring device attached to his ankle stopped sending a signal. The man was then officially declared a fugitive.
The 59-year-old was facing multiple state charges relating to alleged $2 million fraud offences when he absconded.
The man has been remanded in custody and will now be subject to an extradition process to Queensland.
FAST targets offenders who are the subject of arrest warrants for a range of crimes including murder, child exploitation, manslaughter, drug trafficking, money laundering and serious fraud.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said the apprehension served as a warning to those most dangerous and wanted fugitives hiding in Australia.
"The AFP's world-leading technical and forensic capabilities is again demonstrating to offenders that there is nowhere to hide,'' Assistant Commissioner Ryan said.
"This arrest is a considerable result and a testament to the excellent working relationship between the AFP and Queensland Police.
"We have been working hand in glove together and this man would still be at large without their operational input,'' Assistant Commissioner Ryan said.
"I also thank Victoria Police, NSW Police and the AUSTRAC-led FINTEL Alliance for their engagement and assistance on this matter.
"There is no safe haven for criminals in Australia. The AFP, with our partner agencies, are relentless in ensuring those wanted for crimes face justice.
"The arrest by FAST continues to demonstrate the close relationships the AFP has with state and territory police in combating transnational, serious and organised crime."
