CAPTION ADDITION: ADDING NOTE REGISTRATION NUMBERS BLURRED This photo released by the Australian Border Force, Wednesday, March 27, 2019, shows a wanted British man who was apprehended in the Torres Strait attempting to flee Australia on a personal watercraft. Australian police say the 57-year-old set out on Monday from the northern tip of Australia’s Queensland state, carrying enough fuel to make the 140-kilometer (86-mile) trip across Torres Strait. (Australian Border Force via AP)
Republished March 27, 2019 - 2:23 AM
Original Publication Date March 27, 2019 - 1:11 AM
SYDNEY, Australia - A British man wanted on drug charges has been thwarted in a daring bid to flee Australia for Papua New Guinea on a motorized personal watercraft.
Australian police said the 57-year-old man set out Monday on his Sea-Doo craft from the northern tip of Australia's Queensland state, carrying enoughfuel to make the 140-kilometre (86-mile) trip across Torres Strait, and possibly armed with a crossbow.
But after an Australian Border Force vessel was deployed to search for him, he was located only a few kilometres (miles) from his destination at Saibai Island, an Australian territory near the southern coast of New Guinea.
Police said the man was wanted for drug-related offences in Western Australia, and would be sent there.
A joint statement from Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Queensland Police said the man was picked up partly due to information from various "community members" in Queensland and neighbouring islands to the north about his likely travel path.
The statement said the arrest in one of Australia's furthest corners was testament to the police force's strong intelligence and policing partnerships.
"This arrest sends a strong message to would-be fugitives — our reach across Australia is second to none and we will use all our contacts and relationships to find you and bring you before a court," it said.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019