After two weeks of frantic manhunt, Sydney millionaire and alleged drug importer Mostafa Baluch has been arrested.

Alleged drug smuggler Mostafa Baluch will face court in the Gold Coast on Wednesday. Photo from news.com.au.​

Police reported on Wednesday that the 33-year-old smuggler was caught trying to enter Queensland by hiding in a grey Mercedes inside a container truck.

NSW Police detective superintendent Rob Critchlow told reporters that Baluch was “desperate to leave Australia”.

Baluch supposedly had people waiting to receive him in Europe, although the specific country was not disclosed by the police.

After a tip-off from police colleagues south of the border, Australia’s “Pablo Escobar” was caught by Queensland police around 1 AM.

He was arrested in Tweed Heads, and was held in the Southport police station.

Baluch was accused of being the financier behind a 900kg shipment of cocaine that had a total street value of $270m into Australia.

“We indicated that he was going across the border in a truck, so the Queensland police, being as diligent as they are, searched a number of vehicles,” Mr Critchlow added.

“They found a truck with a container on the back, which seemed to be suspicious. It wasn't properly secured.”

“Police banged on the side of the truck – and someone banged back.”

Reports said Baluch was “quite surprised” when he was caught.

NSW Police also asked for assistance with monitoring the coast to ensure Baluch couldn’t flee by sea.

The truck has been turned back into New South Wales, and the driver picked up by police in Grafton. Photos from NSW Police.​

On Thursday, police conducted raid operations on two properties in Sydney’s west: Potts Hill and Yagoona.

They seized more than $250,000 cash, about 200g of cocaine, 485g of an unknown substance, mobile phones, and an electronic money counter.

All items were confiscated and will require further forensic examination.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott called the morning after the arrest a “great morning”, and also apologised to international law enforcement for the stress they had been through with the assumption that Baluch managed to flee Australia.

“My apologies to the international law enforcement agencies for putting them through the anxiety that they went through thinking that we would never see him again,” said Mr Elliott.

“You could imagine the anxiety among the law enforcement world when somebody like this is let loose, and I’m still furious that the magistrate allowed him out on bail because we wouldn’t have had to send all these resources and go through all of this if he hadn’t been out on bail.”

A black Range Rover believed to be owned by Baluch was also seized by the police.

 

[Vinylted]

Criminals getting bail is entirely too common now days, the Justice system is letting us down.

 

[Topher]

Interesting that he was in the boot of a car - in theory, someone else would have to let him out (unless he had a means of access to the interior of the car from the boot ... ditto the container. No door handles inside a container!

 

[Chris]

Criminals getting bail is entirely too common now days, the Justice system is letting us down.

The Justice system is (in my view) corrupt. Much is laid on the Police & corruption within the Force, more needs be done about the corruption within our Justice system. The Police work hard to bring these criminals to Court only for our Judges & the Court system to hand out bail to those who clearly are not deserving. Fines are also an issue, with so many offenders being given fine after fine, building up ridiculous amounts owing to the Courts with no chance nor desire (much of the time) to pay them.

 

[Goodbloke]

The Justice system is (in my view) corrupt. Much is laid on the Police & corruption within the Force, more needs be done about the corruption within our Justice system. The Police work hard to bring these criminals to Court only for our Judges & the Court system to hand out bail to those who clearly are not deserving. Fines are also an issue, with so many offenders being given fine after fine, building up ridiculous amounts owing to the Courts with no chance nor desire (much of the time) to pay them.

Agreed, the system is broken, especially the juvenile courts and the family courts

 

[Kyah]

Accused drug smuggler and kingpin Mostafa Baluch finally caught​

After two weeks of frantic manhunt, Sydney millionaire and alleged drug importer Mostafa Baluch has been arrested.

Alleged drug smuggler Mostafa Baluch will face court in the Gold Coast on Wednesday. Photo from news.com.au.​

Police reported on Wednesday that the 33-year-old smuggler was caught trying to enter Queensland by hiding in a grey Mercedes inside a container truck.

NSW Police detective superintendent Rob Critchlow told reporters that Baluch was “desperate to leave Australia”.

Baluch supposedly had people waiting to receive him in Europe, although the specific country was not disclosed by the police.

After a tip-off from police colleagues south of the border, Australia’s “Pablo Escobar” was caught by Queensland police around 1 AM.

He was arrested in Tweed Heads, and was held in the Southport police station.

Baluch was accused of being the financier behind a 900kg shipment of cocaine that had a total street value of $270m into Australia.

“We indicated that he was going across the border in a truck, so the Queensland police, being as diligent as they are, searched a number of vehicles,” Mr Critchlow added.

“They found a truck with a container on the back, which seemed to be suspicious. It wasn't properly secured.”

“Police banged on the side of the truck – and someone banged back.”

Reports said Baluch was “quite surprised” when he was caught.

NSW Police also asked for assistance with monitoring the coast to ensure Baluch couldn’t flee by sea.

The truck has been turned back into New South Wales, and the driver picked up by police in Grafton. Photos from NSW Police.​

On Thursday, police conducted raid operations on two properties in Sydney’s west: Potts Hill and Yagoona.

They seized more than $250,000 cash, about 200g of cocaine, 485g of an unknown substance, mobile phones, and an electronic money counter.

All items were confiscated and will require further forensic examination.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott called the morning after the arrest a “great morning”, and also apologised to international law enforcement for the stress they had been through with the assumption that Baluch managed to flee Australia.

“My apologies to the international law enforcement agencies for putting them through the anxiety that they went through thinking that we would never see him again,” said Mr Elliott.

“You could imagine the anxiety among the law enforcement world when somebody like this is let loose, and I’m still furious that the magistrate allowed him out on bail because we wouldn’t have had to send all these resources and go through all of this if he hadn’t been out on bail.”

A black Range Rover believed to be owned by Baluch was also seized by the police.

No way should he have been allowed to be let out on bail especially after all the work put in by police to arrest him. Australian legal system needs to become more like America. Juvenile crime would certainly be reduced greatly.

 

[margie]

i agree with everything the above have said well said guys spot on

 

[Lindyloo]

Accused drug smuggler and kingpin Mostafa Baluch finally caught​

After two weeks of frantic manhunt, Sydney millionaire and alleged drug importer Mostafa Baluch has been arrested.

Alleged drug smuggler Mostafa Baluch will face court in the Gold Coast on Wednesday. Photo from news.com.au.​

Police reported on Wednesday that the 33-year-old smuggler was caught trying to enter Queensland by hiding in a grey Mercedes inside a container truck.

NSW Police detective superintendent Rob Critchlow told reporters that Baluch was “desperate to leave Australia”.

Baluch supposedly had people waiting to receive him in Europe, although the specific country was not disclosed by the police.

After a tip-off from police colleagues south of the border, Australia’s “Pablo Escobar” was caught by Queensland police around 1 AM.

He was arrested in Tweed Heads, and was held in the Southport police station.

Baluch was accused of being the financier behind a 900kg shipment of cocaine that had a total street value of $270m into Australia.

“We indicated that he was going across the border in a truck, so the Queensland police, being as diligent as they are, searched a number of vehicles,” Mr Critchlow added.

“They found a truck with a container on the back, which seemed to be suspicious. It wasn't properly secured.”

“Police banged on the side of the truck – and someone banged back.”

Reports said Baluch was “quite surprised” when he was caught.

NSW Police also asked for assistance with monitoring the coast to ensure Baluch couldn’t flee by sea.

The truck has been turned back into New South Wales, and the driver picked up by police in Grafton. Photos from NSW Police.​

On Thursday, police conducted raid operations on two properties in Sydney’s west: Potts Hill and Yagoona.

They seized more than $250,000 cash, about 200g of cocaine, 485g of an unknown substance, mobile phones, and an electronic money counter.

All items were confiscated and will require further forensic examination.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott called the morning after the arrest a “great morning”, and also apologised to international law enforcement for the stress they had been through with the assumption that Baluch managed to flee Australia.

“My apologies to the international law enforcement agencies for putting them through the anxiety that they went through thinking that we would never see him again,” said Mr Elliott.

“You could imagine the anxiety among the law enforcement world when somebody like this is let loose, and I’m still furious that the magistrate allowed him out on bail because we wouldn’t have had to send all these resources and go through all of this if he hadn’t been out on bail.”

A black Range Rover believed to be owned by Baluch was also seized by the police.T

 

[Lindyloo]

Throw him in jail, throw away the key! Put him in solitary confinement for his full term! He should be given the maximum life sentence and no early release! Strip him of all his wealth which should be given to abuse against women and children!

 

[Vinylted]

Ladyloo said it all! He is scum...