Members of the FAST (image provided on the AFP website)
18 wanted criminals in Australia and offshore have been tracked down by the AFP’s specialist Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST), which has worked with state and international authorities to facilitate their extradition.
This article explores the AFP’s increasingly international approach, and the recent successes of FAST investigations.
The AFP’s international focus
Due to the increasingly international nature of crime, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has developed its international presence and networks to detect and deter crime that has an Australian link. Key cross-border threats exist in a range of areas including fraud, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime.
The AFP participates in numerous task forces to enhance cooperation with foreign law enforcement across areas such as the shadow economy, criminal asset confiscation, and illegal phoenix activity.
Role of the Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST)
FAST was established by the AFP in February 2021 to pursue and arrest fugitives wanted for serious Commonwealth, state and territory offences.
With transnational capabilities, FAST targets offshore fugitives wanted in Australia, and alleged criminals living in Australia wanted by overseas authorities.
Recent FAST investigations
The AFP has provided details of ten separate investigations including:
- A man, 51, wanted for fraud offences by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission was identified and arrested in Poland, and extradited to Australia on August 2022.
- A man, 34, wanted in Australia for armed robbery, died awaiting extradition in Germany. He was arrested in August 2022 by German authorities after intelligence was provided by FAST.
- A man, 45, wanted for child sex offences was located in Brisbane by FAST and extradited to the UK in July 2022.
- A woman, 55, was identified and arrested on the Gold Coast by FAST, and extradited to Korea on May 2022 for fraud offences.
- A man, 20, wanted by Northern Ireland Police for driving causing grievous bodily injury, was located in NSW by FAST and extradited to the UK in March 2022.
- A man, 51, wanted for fraud, who removed his ankle monitoring device, was extradited to Queensland in December 2021. He was located by the FAST in Victoria.
- A man, 34, was arrested in Victoria and on October 2021 was extradited to New Zealand for drug offences after being located by the FAST.
- A man, 31, who was arrested in Victoria and extradited to New Zealand in May 2021 to face drug trafficking charges.
- A man, 38, who was arrested in India wanted for murder in Queensland.
- A man 46, who was arrested in Darwin and wanted for drug importation in NSW.
A message to international criminals
AFP Commander Transnational Crime Richard Chin said that “In fewer than two years, FAST has landed a serious blow against criminals trying to evade law enforcement’.”
“There is no safe haven for international offenders living in Australia.
“Equally, those offshore fugitives wanted by Australian authorities should know the AFP is coming, and one by one we are locating them, and working with our partners to bring them back to Australia to face the justice system.
“Few agencies have offshore capabilities like that of the AFP. The AFP is posted in 33 countries and our partnerships with overseas law enforcement agencies provides invaluable intelligence sharing and cooperation to help protect Australia and our way of life.”
Key takeaways
The AFP’s Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (FAST) has recently arrested and extradited 18 criminals in Australia and offshore wanted for crimes including fraud, child sex offences, drug trafficking, and murder. This sends a clear message to international criminals that it is becoming increasingly likely that they will be caught and brought to justice.
