The Block star Omar Slaimankhel’s link to alleged drug kingpin Mostafa Baluch’s getaway revealed

A young footy star turned current contestant on The Block was in the car with Mostafa Baluch when he went on the run last year, it can be revealed.

A current contestant on The Block was driving with alleged drug importer Mostafa Baluch when he cut off his ankle bracelet and went on the run last year.

Omar Slaimankhel was in the car with Baluch when he ditched his ankle monitoring bracelet near Pittwater Rd in Bayview, on Sydney’s northern beaches, about 10.30pm on Monday, October 25.

What followed was one of the most intense manhunts in Australian policing history that ended with Baluch being found hiding in a shipping container on the back of a truck at the border of Queensland and NSW, 16 days later.

Mr Slaimankhel was never charged by NSW Police and there is no suggestion he was involved in any crime, knew Baluch would cut off the bracelet and go on the run, or that he saw him again.

A Nine Network spokesman said Mr Slaimankhel was unavailable to answer questions put to him about his relationship with Baluch and said they had not been aware of it before his appearance on the show.

The Block contestant Omar Slaimankhel (left, with his teammate Oz) was driving with alleged drug importer Mostafa Baluch when he cut off his ankle bracelet and went on the run last year. Picture: Nine Network

Baluch spent 16 days on the run last October and November after being granted bail on charges relating to a 900 kgs cocaine import. Picture: NSW Police

“All contestants undergo rigorous background checks before appearing on the show and we have no knowledge of this alleged incident,” the Nine spokesman said.

But police sources who confirmed the story admitted they were surprised to see the same Mr Slaimankhel they knew on the hit reality building show.

Slaimankhel was an NRL star, making five first grade appearances in 2012. Picture: Toby Zerna

“He’s got some balls to show up on television and parade around,” one source said.

Before he was a contestant on The Block alongside his best friend Oz, Mr Slaimankhel played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, making five first grade appearances in 2012.

The now 30-year-old then moved into working in construction before making it onto the reality show.

But police sources said he was simply a “mate” of Baluch’s, and there is no allegation he was involved in the drug importation over which the restaurateur was charged, and is currently before the courts.

Mr Slaimankhel (pictured with The Block hosts Scott Cam and Shelly Craft) was with Baluch when he ditched his ankle monitoring bracelet on Sydney’s northern beaches on Monday, October 25. Picture: Nine

Baluch went on the run just days after being granted $4.1 million bail by the NSW Local Court last October.

After reporting to Mona Vale Police Station he returned home, before allegedly going on the run.

Police allege that over the next fortnight he spent time hiding out in Sydney, before eventually planning an escape overseas.

From NSW he planned to cross into Queensland by hiding in the back of a car, inside a shipping container, loaded onto a truck.

After a massive manhunt, Baluch was arrested 16 days later in a shipping container on the back of a truck, at the NSW and Queensland border. Picture: NSW Police

But when that truck was stopped at the then closed border, his plan came to an end.

At the time of his detention NSW Police Detective Superintendent Rob Critchlow said Baluch had allegedly become “hot” in the underworld and police were able to eventually get the intelligence to track him down.

“It was just good police work ultimately that secured his arrest … we were close behind him all the way,” Det Supt Critchlow said.

Baluch was flown back to Sydney on a Polair plane and is now behind bars on remand, awaiting trial.

Baluch is currently behind bars on remand in Goulburn’s Supermax prison, awaiting trial over his alleged role in importing 900 kilograms of cocaine into the country.

Slaimankhel’s involvement with Baluch is not the first time The Block has courted controversy recently.

Former AFL player Joel Patfull and his wife Elle Ferguson quit the current series after just three days, in a move that made widespread headlines.

A few seasons ago IT expert Emese Fajk paid $4.2 million for one of the apartments at auction, only to be unable to pay for it.