Ads
Bikie boss faces Melbourne court after extradition over drug charges
| 06.08,22. 12:05 AM |
Bikie boss faces Melbourne court after extradition over drug charges
Former fugitive Comanchero boss Mark Buddle has faced court over allegations he imported about $40 million worth of cocaine into Melbourne.
The 37-year-old was extradited on a chartered flight from Darwin on Friday morning.
"AFP officers have escorted a man, 37, on a chartered flight from Darwin to Melbourne this morning to face two charges for allegedly importing cocaine worth about $40 million," a statement said.
Buddle's extradition to Melbourne was originally delayed amid "security concerns".
He faced Melbourne Magistrates Court, charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and one count of conspiring to import a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug.
Both offences carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Buddle was arrested at Darwin airport on Wednesday after being deported from Turkey a day earlier.
He was charged on Thursday over allegations he imported more than 160kg of cocaine into Melbourne in May last year.
The charges stem from Operation Ironside, which monitored communications shared using the ANOM app.
The app was set up by authorities under the guise of offering organised crime figures a safe encrypted messaging service when in reality it was being monitored by the AFP and FBI.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said Operation Ironside had tracked encrypted communications showing cocaine would be shipped from Hong Kong to Melbourne and Sydney.
"This investigation has been going 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 offshore.
More than 250 people have been charged in Australia under the operation.
- Reported with Buddle was arrested at Darwin airport on Wednesday after being deported from Turkey a day earlier.
He was charged on Thursday over allegations he imported more than 160kg of cocaine into Melbourne in May last year.
The charges stem from Operation Ironside, which monitored communications shared using the ANOM app.
The app was set up by authorities under the guise of offering organised crime figures a safe encrypted messaging service when in reality it was being monitored by the AFP and FBI.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said Operation Ironside had tracked encrypted communications showing cocaine would be shipped from Hong Kong to Melbourne and Sydney.
"This investigation has been going 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 offshore.
More than 250 people have been charged in Australia under the operation.
Other News
Powerful cold front travels east across the nation bringing chaos to five states
Australian house prices set to drop further as interest rates surge. Here's a round up of what's happening with property prices across Australia
How much extra could mortgage repayments cost now the cash rate is 1.85 per cent?
Woolworths changes in-store trading hours for deli, meat and seafood sections
Search for man behind armed robbery at Melbourne Aldi supermarket
Where the upcoming train strikes will impact as more transport chaos on the way
Well-respected Sydney police officer allegedly bashed with pole by teenagers
Power prices rise but small actions in the home could save money
Once-a-year storm arrives at WA's doorstep, set to hit south-eastern states soon
Hundreds to take up Brisbane home buy-back offer after February flood disasters
Killer who stabbed teen as she walked home released from jail
Sydney motorists being slugged $2 billion a year in tolls, report finds
P-plater loses control of car, ploughs into Sydney home
Man shot by WA police after 'violent incident'
Brisbane massage therapist charged with sexual assault
Prime Minister to announce Australia's first referendum in 20 years at Garma Festival. Here's what you might be asked
Why is diesel so expensive? Retailers are charging 20c per litre more than they should, fuel watchers say
?Sexual assault reports in Australia hit all- time high. What's driving the increase
Queensland approaching worst road death toll in a decade
Man crashes hire truck into New South Wales backyard pool
Number of reported sexual assault cases rise for tenth year in a row
Westpac to merge 100 branches over 18 months
Mother of slain schoolgirl charged over home invasion
Treasury forecasts inflation to peak at 7.75 per cent as real wages stall
Pedestrian dies after serious Sydney crash
Truck drivers call on transport accident commission to review law for pedestrian deaths
Police car rammed in Victoria's west after reports of home being shot at
Port Hedland mother charged with murder of three children found dead after house fire
Newmarch House COVID-19 inquest told residents went without food, oxygen during outbreak
NSW Deputy Labor leader Prue Car takes leave for kidney cancer treatment