Illegal arrivals apprehended in Torres Strait Strait

Illegal arrivals believed to have snuck into Australia via the Torres Strait have been apprehended by authorities with the foreign nationals currently being held in detention.

An Australian Border Force spokesman said they, "actively responds to reports of incursions by illegal foreign fishing vessels (FFVs) in Australian waters, including in the Torres Strait." Itcure: Supplied.

Illegal arrivals believed to have snuck into Australia via the Torres Strait have been apprehended by authorities with the foreign nationals currently being held in detention, a Far North MP says.

Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said two Romanian men were met by police and Australian Border Force (ABF) officials on Horn Island earlier this month.

The duo, who did not have visas to be in the country, intended to catch a flight to Cairns before they were subsequently detained.

It is understood that they are now being held in Brisbane.

Mr Entsch, who met with Border Force officials two weeks ago after learning of the incident, said the individuals didn’t have any drugs or weapons on them at the time.

“I’ve recently met with a couple of Border Force officials in my office and expressed my concern that more information should be forthcoming with the community,” he said.

Illegal arrivals believed to have snuck into Australia via the Torres Strait have been apprehended by authorities with the foreign nationals currently being held in detention, a Far North MP says. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“They’ve provided me with the information which I’ve passed on to concerned parties in the Torres Strait.”

Community members had a right to know more about possible border breaches, Mr Entsch said.

“It’s always going to be very porous,” the Far North MP said of the state’s northern border.

“People can get in and sneak across. But I’ve got to say that the system works well and these Romanian nationals were identified.

“It is amazing the number of people that get picked up there before they get in.

“The community does a bloody good job. They know when strangers are around.”

Mr Entsch praised Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke for passing on further information to him upon request.

“To his credit he said he’d get onto it and he did,” he said.

Last year, five Senegalese men were caught and detained by Australian Border Force after attempting to illegally enter Far North Queensland.

An ABF spokesman said: “We are not able to comment on, or confirm, operational matters.”

Minister Burke didn’t respond to questions prior to deadline.

Originally published as Illegal arrivals apprehended in Torres Strait Strait