A 57-year-old British man with a warrant out for his arrest was seen fleeing Western Australia on a jet-ski loaded with supplies. He was in it for the long haul as he was trying to make a break for Papua New Guinea. The guy was wanted by police for possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and also for possession of stolen property. The man was making a break when someone noticed him leaving the Queensland area.
Law enforcement was notified and officers from three different agencies climbed aboard the Roebuck Bay, a Border Force vessel. They proceeded to chase down the man as he was attempted to outrun them during the high-speed pursuit. He was no match for the officers and they grabbed him less than ten miles from the Papua New Guinea mainland. From there, he was then taken to Thursday Island where he was booked and held by Queensland police.
Australian’s Border Force Commander Jo Crooks said it was a great result for the multi-agency team.
“Anyone who thinks they can either enter or leave Australia through the [Torres Strait] region without detection should think again,” she said.
Torres Strait councillors and community members helped authorities by letting them know the possible route the man would take on his way to the mainland. The unidentified male appeared before the Cairns Magistrate Court and according to court records, he pleaded guilty to both charges.
A brief statement made by a Western Australian (WA) Police spokesman said; “WA Police Force is aware of the arrest made in the Torres Strait by Queensland Police and Commonwealth law enforcement agencies. Based on this development WA Police Force is currently assessing the potential extradition process.”
