Comanchero bikie boss Mark Buddle deported to Australia: what happens now

Bikie boss Mark Buddle was personally escorted to Australia by Turkish authorities to face two charges of allegedly importing 160kg of cocaine. Here’s what happens next.

Turkish authorities personally escorted bikie boss Mark Buddle to Australia where he now faces up to life in prison if found guilty of allegedly trafficking $40 million worth of drugs into the country.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Nigel Ryan said on Wednesday Turkey had made an “independent decision” to deport Buddle, 37, out of the country with officials escorting him on a charter plane to Darwin where he was met by Australian authorities.

“The AFP was well placed to respond to the man’s return, due to the progress of an ongoing AFP criminal investigation and the AFP’s strong global, law enforcement and intelligence networks,” he said.

Mr Ryan said Buddle was scheduled to appear in the Darwin local court on Wednesday where the AFP would apply to extradite him to Victoria to face two charges of allegedly importing 160kg of cocaine with a street value of $40 million.

“Each offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment,” he said.

Mark Buddle is taken into custody today.

Mr Ryan said the AFP will allege Operation Ironside South Britannic linked the man to a transnational criminal syndicate operating out of Hong Kong and Turkey.

He said the syndicate was using “dedicated encrypted communication means” to co-ordinate the shipments.

Mr Ryan said police will allege Buddle was using the AN0M app.

He said the AFP had been “methodical and patient” in putting a brief of evidence together to ensure Buddle could “face the justice system”.

“Because at the end of the day, law enforcement needs evidence to charge someone and bring them before the courts,” he said.

Mr Ryan said in October 2021 the AFP engaged with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions in preparation of seeking an arrest warrant for Buddle.

Federal police with Buddle in Darwin today.

“During this time the AFP continued to take statements and prepare a full brief of evidence,” he said.

“In January 2022 a full brief of evidence was provided to the CDPP for an assessment to charge the man with offences against the Criminal Code 1995.

“In mid July 2022, a Melbourne magistrates court issued an arrest warrant for the man in relation to the alleged importation of cocaine.

“And in late July, an Interpol Red Notice for the man was issued.”

AFP Assistant Commissioner Crime Nigel Ryan addresses media in Canberra after Buddle was taken into custody. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Martin Ollman

Mr Ryan said Buddle had been a “target” of the AFP-led transnational offshore disruption task force, known as Operation Gain.

“This is the first time the AFP has publicly revealed the existence of this task force, which targets Australia’s biggest organised crime threats offshore, disrupts their criminal activities and ultimately ensures these criminals face prosecution,” he said.

“Operation Gain harnesses the AFP’s extensive international network … sophisticated capabilities, commands across Australia and Commonwealth partners, such as the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.”

Mr Ryan said Turkish authorities had ultimately independently decided to deport Buddle, and would not confirm the full extent of any AFP involvement in the ongoing matter.

Buddle with former partner Mel Ter Wisscha.

“Obviously we have been in communication with the Turkish authorities, we do have people based in Ankara in Turkey,” he said.

“There has been information provided to us, but this decision was an independent decision by the Turkish authorities and all the logistics were actually organised and arranged by the Turkish authorities.”

Mr Ryan said the AFP were aware Buddle’s former partner was currently in detention, but were not following the matter up or investigating.

Buddle was scheduled to appear

in the Darwin Local Court today.

Mr Ryan said there were more than 20 people being targeted through Operation Gain, including several in Turkey.

“We are working very closely with our Turkish counterparts to try and bring those people back here to face justice,” he said.

“And I have to say the Turkish authorities are regional leaders in relations to the fight against organised crime and we thank them for their efforts.”

Originally published as Comanchero bikie boss Mark Buddle deported to Australia: what happens now