Organised crime target arrested in Thailand
Editor’s Note: vision of Operation Volante from 2013 is available via Hightail.
A police target wanted in connection with AFP organised crime investigation Operation Volante has been arrested by the Royal Thai Police.
A 65-year-old dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China was taken into custody in Thailand on 1 October 2020.
The action was the result of law enforcement co-operation between our two countries, with the Royal Thai Police acting on a provisional arrest request from Australia. The AFP has not commented previously on this matter for operational reasons.
The man is the second police target arrested in connection with Operation Volante in recent months, after a 57-year-old Canadian was arrested on 22 January 2021 in Amsterdam by the Central Unit of the National Police of the Netherlands.
In 2013, the AFP announced that Operation Volante had resulted in the arrest of 27 people for drug-related offences.
AFP Commander Todd Hunter said the international nature of organised crime, and the harm it causes our respective communities, requires an international response from law enforcement.
"These recent arrests are a testament to the AFP's strong international relationships with the Royal Thai Police and National Police of the Netherlands and could not have happened without these very strong partnerships," Commander Hunter said.
“The AFP has led a regional coalition of more than 19 South East Asian and Western law enforcement agencies to bring about the disruption of drug trafficking networks.
"When we work together globally, and combine our tools and expertise, the result is maximum damage to organised crime.”
As the matter is before the court in Thailand, no further comment will be made at this time.
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