The Comanchero chief, Mark Buddle, is in Australian custody, after being deported by the Turkish authorities.
Key points:
- The Comanchero chief was arrested this morning at Darwin airport after being deported to Australia
- The AFP will allege he imported more than 160 kilos of cocaine into Melbourne last year
- He will appear in court today where police will request he be extradited to Melbourne
The 37-year-old man appeared in Darwin Magistrates’ Court this morning, accused of importing more than 160 kilograms of cocaine into Melbourne in May 2021.
The judge accepted a request that he be extradited to Victoria.
The court heard that Mr Buddle did not appear in person due to police security concerns, but appeared via audio link.
“Normally, of course, someone appearing in court would be present in court or on video from the prison, Chief Justice Elizabeth Morris told Mr Buddle.
“But the court has received information that the police have some security issues, and that’s why you’re on the phone from the watch house in Palmerston.”
Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said the drugs had a street value of more than $40 million.
Mark Buddle was escorted on a charter flight to Darwin. (Supplied: AFP)
Commonwealth’s Attorney Naomi Low told court police she wanted until August 10 to extradite Mr Buddle to the Melbourne Magistrates Court, to take steps to mitigate security concerns.
“Mark Buddle is to be secured and remanded in custody at NT Corrections until 10 August 2022 at the latest, at which time he will be transferred to the custody of [the AFP] … to next appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on or before August 10, 2022,” Chief Justice Morris said.
He told Mr Buddle he would keep him in jail until arrangements were made to transfer him to Melbourne in police custody.
Buddle was deported to Turkey from northern Cyprus last month and was detained by police in the capital, Ankara.
He had been living in the self-declared republic after receiving a residence permit in August 2021.
Mark Buddle became president of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Gang in 2010. (Dean Lewins, file photo: AAP)
Task Force on Offshore Organized Crime Threats
Assistant Commissioner Ryan said the AFP had been working to “build a body of evidence” against Buddle since mid-2021.
“When it comes to this alleged offender, we have been patient and thorough, and we have done what the AFP does best: we have used our capacity, intelligence and international networks to ensure that we have a warrant and a summary of evidence ended because the The alleged criminal can face the justice system,” he said.
“However, let me be clear: this alleged criminal has been a target of the AFP-led transnational offshore disruption task force, known as Operation Gain, since 2021.
“[The taskforce] it targets Australia’s biggest organized crime threats overseas, disrupts their criminal activities and ultimately ensures these suspected criminals are prosecuted.”