Aussie fugitive Tony Haddad deported after capture in Turkey

An international manhunt for Sydney man Tony Haddad has ended with the accused flown into Darwin following his arrest in Turkey.

A man who fled Australia for Turkey while on trial for his alleged role in importing chemicals capable of making more than two million ecstasy tablets, has been arrested and returned to Australia.

Tony Haddad, 46, was deported by Turkish authorities and arrived in Darwin on Friday morning, where he was arrested by Australian Federal Police officers.

Haddad appeared before NT Local Court Chief Judge Elizabeth Morris for an extradition hearing. Orders were made that he appear on or before December 5th at the Parramatta Local Court.

He had been the subject of an international manhunt after failing to appear in court in March 2020 to face a charge of importing 2.8 tonnes of safrole oil which is used to make MDMA also known as ecstasy.

The AFP with Haddad. Picture: AFP

Haddad arrived in Darwin on Friday morning. Picture: AFP

AFP believe Haddad spent two years in hiding on the south coast of NSW during the pandemic and allegedly escaped to Indonesia after police in May put out an appeal for his whereabouts.

It is believed he may have left Australia on a boat for Indonesia and then travelled to Turkey via the Middle East.

He was detected by Turkish authorities trying to exit the country on 14 August 2022 while allegedly using a false passport. Turkish authorities detained Haddad after establishing his identity.

Haddad was originally arrested in September 2011 as part of a joint investigation between the AFP and Australian Border Force.

The investigation allegedly found the safrole in containers labelled as hair and cleaning products imported from China in three shipments between April and August 2011.

If convicted, he was facing a maximum penalty of 25 years’ imprisonment.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Crime, Nigel Ryan, welcomed the independent decision by Turkish authorities to deport the man, and also the assistance FAST (Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team) investigators received from NSW Police, the NSW Crime Commission, and the Fintel Alliance.

The AFP notified Turkish authorities of his potential whereabouts in Turkey. Picture: AFP

“The AFP will continue to investigate this man’s activities over the past two years, and will not hesitate to lay charges if we have evidence of criminal activity being used to finance his efforts to escape detection,” Mr Ryan said.

“This also highlights the commitment and expertise of the AFP FAST – our investigators only need a few little pieces to start putting together a clearer picture to track down fugitives seeking to hide from answering for their criminal acts.”

The AFP notified Turkish authorities of his potential whereabouts in Turkey through the AFP’s international network, and they in turn advised the AFP of his detention for using a false travel document to leave Turkey in August.

Comanchero boss Mark Buddle Comanchero was deported from Turkey in August. Picture: AFP

Haddad is the second Australian deported from Turkey this year.

Comanchero boss Mark Buddle Comanchero was deported from Turkey in August and arrested on his return to Australia.

Mr Buddle is accused of importing more than 160kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of $40m into Melbourne in May last year.