Accused drug supplier Darren Rispen added to most wanted list after skipping bail

A MAN accused of being one of Sydney’s biggest drug suppliers has been added to the state’s most wanted list after breaking his bail and going on the run.

Darren Rispen has been added to the most wanted list after skipping bail.

A MAN accused of being one of Sydney’s biggest drug suppliers has made the state’s most wanted list after jumping bail and going on the run.

Darren Rispen, 40, is facing the prospect of life in jail if convicted of 26 drug-related charges. Police claim he is a major player in the Sydney drug scene with links to an international cartel.

Rispen disappeared in October, a week after being freed on bail against police wishes.

Police closed in on the part-time auto worker when detectives from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad set up strike force Rinis to investigate a highly organised crime syndicate allegedly run by Rispen and another associate.

They believed Rispen, who had only a minor criminal record, had been flying under the radar for more than a decade, establishing a sophisticated network of drug and gun distribution by forging associations with overseas crime groups and local outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Police strenuously opposed bail after he had been charged with 26 drug-related offences, seven of which were for commercial supply.

At the time of the drug charges Rispen was already on $200,000 bail after being arrested in July, accused of money laundering and being part of a criminal network in relation to the purchase of a plane used to import drugs.

After several failed attempts he was finally granted bail on October 2 by Central Local Court magistrate Les Mabbutt and released on October 15 by Campbelltown magistrate Carolyn Huntsmen after meeting certain conditions.

Rispen was able to raise another $500,000 surety imposed by the court and promised to attend Campbelltown police station daily, which he did for just over a week before disappearing.

Middle-Eastern Organised Crime Squad Commander Peter McErlain said investigators hoped adding Rispen to the Most Wanted list would lead to tip-offs from the public about his location.

He said: “We utilise the Most Wanted list as an arena because public assistance can be vital to locating people wanted with outstanding warrants for serious offences.

“It has worked before with the help of the media and the community members providing information that has lead to the sighting and the subsequent arrest of wanted people.”

Anyone who sees Rispen is urged not to approach him and to immediately contact police.