NSW Police seek suspect extradition following container discovery
The driver of a truck allegedly used in an attempt to smuggle a bail-breaching crime suspect across the Queensland border has been charged by New South Wales Police.
Widely named as Mostafa Baluch and described as the nation’s “most-wanted man” by domestic and international media, the suspect was the subject of Strike Force Jillabenan II, established by Organised Crime Squad detectives assisted by the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, Australian Border Force, the NSW Crime Commission, and interstate police.
Acting on information from investigators, Queensland Police stopped the truck as it crossed the border into Queensland about 1am today.
Officers searched the container on the back of the truck, where they located the 33-year-old man hiding inside a grey Mercedes that had been placed inside a container.
He was arrested and taken to Southport Watch House, where an extradition warrant was executed.
Meanwhile, the unnamed 46-year-old male truck driver was arrested by officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command during a vehicle stop at Tucabia, near Grafton, just before 9am.
The truck has been seized and will undergo forensic and compliance-related examinations.
The Yowie Bay man was taken to Grafton Police Station, where he was charged with do act intending to pervert the course of justice.
He was refused bail to appear at Grafton Local Court this afternoon.
Investigations under Strike Force Jillabenan II are ongoing.