Raid on firm, named as Kit Bros, follows truck driver arrest
The successful hunt for fugitive Mostafa Baluch has turned to his alleged accomplices, with a trucking company now drawn into the drama.
Following a thwarted bid to flee overseas, New South Wales Police raided the firm linked to the driver of a truck carrying the trailer Baluch was discovered in, on the Queensland border yesterday.
“About 2.15pm (Wednesday 10 November 2021), Strike Force Jillabenan II investigators executed a crime scene warrant at a transport company on Shepherd Street, Liverpool,” NSW Police said in what was described as a “holding statement”.
“During a subsequent search of the premises, officers located and seized electronic items.
“About 9.30pm, a second crime scene warrant was executed at an adjacent property, where officers located and seized a hard drive.
“All seized items will undergo further forensic examination.
“Inquiries continue.”
Read how the discovery and arrests unfolded yesterday, here
The developments which have fascinated media outlets nationally and internationally, not least with NSW police minister describing Baluch as “our own Pablo Escobar”, has seen the Sydney Morning Herald name the trucking company as Kit Bros Warehousing & Transport and, along with other ourtlets, the arrested driver as Jovanco Kitanovski, who has been denied bail in Grafton Local Court.
NSW detective superintendent Rob Critchlow, who appears to be the lead police spokesperson for Strike Force Jillabenan II, is quoted as saying police were going though Kit Bros, the website of which became inoperable this afternoon, “with a fine tooth comb”.
Queensland Police also have issues with the driver, stating: “The 46-year-old driver of the truck was given two traffic infringement notices relating to heavy vehicle offences, as well as a fine for failing to comply with Covid-19 border direction.”