Explainer: Who is fugitive Mostafa Baluch

Born to immigrant Afghani parents and educated at a popular sports high school, he’s now on the run while facing serious drug importation charges.

Before he was born, Mostafa Baluch’s parents moved to Australia from Afghanistan and set about creating a new life for their family on Sydney’s northern beaches.

As a youngster he attended Narrabeen Sports High School and after graduating became a businessman, at one stage owning the popular Cervo restaurant at Northbridge.

Mostafa Baluch. Picture: Facebook

Mostafa Baluch. Picture: Facebook

Now, at 33-years-old, he is on the run while facing charges of being an alleged drug kingpin.

Baluch was arrested in June 2021 following a two-year investigation by NSW Police into his alleged involvement in the attempted importation of 900kg of cocaine to Australia from Ecuador.

His arrest came as a shock to some in the local community on Sydney’s northern beaches, where he had become a well known restaurateur.

To that point Baluch also had a very minor history before the courts.

In 2015 he faced charges of resisting arrest and destroying or damaging property and was placed on a good behaviour bond.
While there was a minor breach of that bond in 2016 it resulted in no further punishment.

In 2020 he was charged with driving against the direction of an arrow and convicted and fined $500.

The Daily Telegraph understands that, despite his modest record, at the same time he was appearing to be a businessman he was also allegedly appearing on multiple police intelligence reports on drug importation.

After his arrest earlier in 2021 he was hit with several drugs charges including conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of cocaine and facing a life sentence in jail. He was initially refused bail.

But last Friday in Central Local Court in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, Magistrate Michael Crompton granted Baluch bail despite it being opposed by police.

Magistrate Crompton allowed Baluch to walk but only if he met strict conditions including paying a $4 million surety, reporting to police daily and wearing an ankle tracking bracelet.

The worst fears of police become a reality when, just three days into Baluch’s freedom, an alarm went off about 10.45pm on Monday night to alert authorities his ankle tracking device had been removed.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Mostafa Baluch for breaches of bail.

Baluch has not been seen since, with a massive interstate and international manhunt underway.

Police are investigating theories including that he left Sydney on a plane from Bankstown Airport in the dead of the night, that he took a boat from near his Bayview home and that he is still in the Sydney area in a safe house.

A rough timeline of his movement suggests that after having his bail granted by Magistrate Crompton, Baluch walked out of prison on Friday.

Over the weekend he met with friends and family at BBQs, which now appear to have been something of farewell gatherings ahead of his impending escape.

On Monday he met his obligation by reporting to Mona Vale Police Station about 5.30pm.

He then went to his family’s restaurant Lucky and Pep’s at Newport Beach, before returning home.

The last time his family saw him was about 10.40pm on Monday.

CCTV from inside the M4 tunnel captured a photo of a black Range Rover which was being used by Baluch travelling eastbound.

Two men were sitting in the front seats while the alleged drug kingpin is believed to have been hiding in the back of the car.

Police sources said Baluch was believed to have countless millions hidden away in offshore bank accounts and cryptocurrency investments, which are difficult to track.

“You have no idea how wealthy this bloke is,” said one source.

“He has money in overseas accounts and cryptocurrency, he has the capability to pre-plan this and that is what it’s looking like he’s done.”