Media Release: Annual INTERPOL operation tracks international fugitives

Release Date: Friday, June 15 2012, 01:24 PM

This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police and INTERPOL.

An INTERPOL operation targeting fugitives wanted for offences including murder, robbery, kidnapping and drug trafficking is calling for the public’s help in locating and bringing them to justice.

Operation INFRA-RED (International Fugitive Round Up and Arrest – Red Notices) 2012 was launched on 14 May, focusing on more than 500 fugitives wanted by 57 member countries and has already led to the arrest or location of internationally-wanted people worldwide.

A number of Infra-Red 2012 targets wanted for a range of offences are now being specifically highlighted as part of the public appeal for assistance, including that of Australian man Anthony Phillip Sitar. Mr Sitar is wanted in relation to his alleged involvement in an international drug syndicate responsible for importing cocaine and methamphetamine into Australia from Mexico.
 
Head of INTERPOL Canberra Commander Fiona Drennan said international cooperation through targeted operations such as INFRA-RED enables law enforcement to seek more information from the communities they protect by publicising those most wanted fugitives around the world.

The initial phase of operation Infra-Red 2012 saw investigators from 28 of the participating countries, including Australia and Europol, gather at the INTERPOL headquarters in Lyon, France to share information on suspects.

Details of the wanted persons, their suspected locations and any other potentially identifying information was collated and analysed, before being sent through INTERPOL’s global network of 190 bureaus for action.

Operation Infra-Red has resulted in suspected killer, Luka Rocco Magnotta, being arrested in Germany just four days after INTERPOL issued a Red Notice at the request of Canadian authorities.

Information on the whereabouts of the targets of Operation Infra-Red 2012 or any internationally-wanted persons can be sent to INTERPOL’s Fugitive Investigative Support unit via www.interpol.int or provided to CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

View Operation INFRA-RED profile on Antony Sitar (PDF, 326KB)

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