Thai Police Arrest Alleged People Smuggler

[george]

Thai police arrest alleged people smuggler

BANGKOK: Police in Thailand have arrested an alleged people smuggler wanted by Australian authorities.

It is alleged 35-year-old Pakistani national Masoud Chaudry organised the passage of a boatload of asylum seekers from Indonesia to Ashmore Reef in 2001.

Mr Chaudry was arrested in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Australian authorities will be applying to extradite Mr Chaudry from Thailand to face court in Australia.

Minister for Justice and Customs Chris Ellison says Mr Chaudry is in custody in Bangkok.

"Well we've asked for his arrest, a provisional warrant has been issued and of course, that's followed by a request for extradition which we're doing at this moment," he said.

"The Thai authorities are cooperating and in fact their cooperation has been splendid."

--ABC News 2004-04-07

[george]

Update:

Alleged people smuggler arrested

BANGKOK: -- A man who allegedly smuggled a boatload of people to Ashmore Reef off Australia's north- west coast in 2001 has been arrested in Thailand and is to be extradited to Australia.

Federal Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison said Masoud Chaudry, a 35-year-old Pakistani national, was arrested in Bangkok yesterday by Thai police at the request of Australian authorities.

Chaudry is alleged to have organised the passage of a boat from Indonesia to Christmas Island between November 2000 and April 2001.

He is wanted in Australia for prosecution on people smuggling offences against the Migration Act 1958.

Senator Ellison said Chaudry was the subject of an Australian arrest warrant issued in relation to two offences under the Migration Act, each punishable by a maximum term of 10 years' jail.

"This latest arrest highlights the Australian government's strong and continuing commitment to bring people smugglers to justice," he said.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Thai authorities cooperated in the lead-up to Chaudry's arrest.

"The AFP work extremely hard to develop and maintain their international network, with this effort bringing results in many areas including people smuggling, sex trafficking, child sex tourism and illicit drug trafficking," Senator Ellison said.

Australian authorities would immediately apply for Chaudry's extradition from Bangkok.

A spokesman for Senator Ellison later said Chaudry was due to appear in a Bangkok court this afternoon.

--AAP 2004-04-07

[Guest Lazarus]

Quite amazing what the thai authorities will do when there is money to be had.

[possom]

another reason for thai authorities to clamp down on visa regulations and foreign residents in general i fear