Rohan Arnold: WVLX saleyards at Mortlake ’not affected’ by director’s arrest

MORTLAKE’S new saleyards will open on Monday as planned, despite the arrest of director Rohan Arnold over an alleged cocaine syndicate in Serbia overnight.

MORTLAKE’S new saleyards will open on Monday as planned, despite the arrest of director Rohan Arnold over an alleged cocaine syndicate in Serbia overnight.

Mr Arnold, a director of South East Livestock Exchange, or SELX, which already operates yards at Yass, was one of three Australian men arrested at a Belgrade hotel.

Fellow SELX director Brendan Abbey told The Weekly Times he found out about Mr Arnold’s arrest when he was watching today’s 6am news.

Rohan Arnold

Mr Abbey said he had not had any direct or indirect contact with his business partner since learning of the arrest.

“It has come as a complete shock ... we’ve had to call some emergency meetings today,” he said.

“But the Mortlake saleyards will still open on Monday as anticipated and buyers and sellers should turn up as planned.

“All workers will be paid in full.”

Mr Abbey said he had known Mr Arnold for two-and-a-half years.

A statement from SELX said: “The directors of SELX Pty Ltd have become aware through the media that Rohan Arnold, a director of SELX Pty Ltd, has been arrested by Serbian authorities in Belgrade.

“The operation and management of SELX and WVLX (Western Victoria Livestock Exchange, Mortlake) are not affected by this development.

“Livestock sales will continue as scheduled.”