Irishman to front Darwin Local Court accused of driving Hussein Chamas to NT
A cross country road trip has landed an Irishman before the Judge in the Top End, with the AFP alleging the man had a more sinister motive behind the drive. Find out more.
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An Irishman is in hot water over a cross-state road trip which ended in the NT, with the AFP alleging the purpose of the trip was to help an accused drug lord escape custody.
The 46-year-old Irish national is expected to front Darwin Local Court on Tuesday, charged with a single count of providing support for the offence of people smuggling.
The Irishman was arrested in Nhulunbuy on Sunday, an Australian Federal Police spokesperson said.
He is accused of driving a campervan from Sydney to Nhulunbuy via Queensland with alleged drug lord Hussien Chamas as his passenger.
Mr Chamas, 35, was arrested in the Arafura Sea in a yacht on Australia Day, allegedly trying to leave the country.
He was on bail at the Global Connect rehabilitation facility, 200km north of Sydney, and was expected to return to Downing Centre Local Court on January 20.
Mr Chamas has been charged with illegally possessing a firearm, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.
He failed to show at court, with a warrant subsequently issued for Mr Chamas arrest.
At his latest hearing in the Darwin Local Court, Judge Elizabeth Morris authorised the extradition of Mr Chamas back to NSW.
The Irishman is the third person charged with Mr Chamas alleged escape attempt.
Federal police allege he picked Mr Chamas up on January 8 in Sydney, and arrived with the fugitive in Nhulunbuy on January 11.
He is alleged to have travelled an estimated 4680km with Mr Chamas.
A 51-year-old Dutch man and 42-year-old woman from the United Kingdom were also arrested on Australia Day.
The AFP charged them with a people smuggling offence.
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