An alleged Comanchero associate who has been on the run since 2022 has been arrested and charged.
Daniel Toutounji was arrested around 8am on Friday at Sydney International Airport.
He has since been charged on outstanding warrants for drug supply, directing a criminal group, and dealing with proceeds of crime offences.
The 37-year-old has been wanted by police since 2022.
Police said the State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad detectives were assisted by Australian Border Force officers.
On April 10, 2018, police searched a unit in Randwick, Sydney and found 1 kilogram of cocaine, about $95,000 cash, two machine pistols, three semi-automatic pistols, and a large amount of drug paraphernalia.
An investigation led police to two suspects but both were believed to have left the country.
The investigation was later passed onto Strike Force Vidar, established to target the criminal activities of the Comanchero Outlaw Motorcycle Group.
After his arrest, Toutounji was taken to Mascot Police Station and refused bail to appear in court on Friday.
Police released images of Toutounji last month, alongside eight others who were believed to be overseas and wanted for outstanding warrants related to organised crime offences.
State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook, appealed for information from the public on June 15.
“We are releasing the names and faces of these individuals to assist our enquiries. Information about their movements or current location may be critical to progressing these investigations.”
“We also want to make it absolutely clear that anyone assisting these men to evade law enforcement may be committing a serious criminal offence.
“If you are providing support, you should stop immediately and consider the consequences.
“The process for mutual legal assistance to return these individuals to New South Wales is underway, and we are working closely with our federal partners and international law enforcement agencies to ensure they are brought back to answer the serious allegations against them.”
Police are expected to provide a further update at 1.30pm.
More to come...
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