Fugitive Comanchero boss Mark Buddle has been extradited from Darwin to Melbourne on charges of importing $40 million worth of drugs.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has confirmed that the 37-year-old man landed in the Victorian capital this morning.
“AFP officers escorted a 37-year-old man on a chartered flight from Darwin to Melbourne this morning to face two charges for allegedly importing about $40 million worth of cocaine,” said a communicated
AFP officers escorted Mark Buddle on a chartered flight from Darwin to Melbourne this morning. (AFP)
Buddle is expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today, where he will be charged with two offences.
Each carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Mark Buddle is expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today. (AFP)
Buddle’s extradition to Melbourne was originally delayed amid “security concerns”.
The Comanchero leader was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Darwin Airport on Wednesday, six years after he fled the country.
The arrest came a day after he was deported from Turkey.
AFP revealed Buddle had been the target of a three-year secret investigation, which was set up to bring home Australia’s most wanted criminals.
Buddle was a user of the AN0M mobile phone system, which the AFP and FBI had been secretly operating before making more than 500 arrests in a worldwide sweep.
Mark Buddle was arrested at Darwin Airport on Wednesday, six years after he fled the country. (AFP)
AFP Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said Operation Ironside had traced encrypted communications showing the cocaine was being shipped from Hong Kong to Melbourne and Sydney.
“This investigation has been going on for a significant amount of time,” Ryan said.
Buddle’s “complex” arrest, Ryan said, would deal a serious blow to drug syndicates operating in Australia and overseas.
More than 250 people have been charged in Australia as part of Operation Ironside.
No charges have been filed in the US, where privacy laws prevented arrests.