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A man from Woolshed, who runs an aviation company in central Queensland, is accused of orchestrating a covert flight to transport two alleged Australian fugitives to Indonesia. It is claimed that on the flight manifest, only the two co-pilots were listed as passengers.
(Australian Federal Police)
The 35-year-old associate of the aviation company owner reportedly had three outstanding arrest warrants. These warrants included charges related to the large-scale supply and production of illicit drugs.
The purported escape began on November 10, when the two fugitives departed from Orange, New South Wales, on a flight bound for Cape York, according to police sources.
Throughout the week, the accused individuals were allegedly shuttled between various locations in Far North Queensland using helicopters and light aircraft.
Authorities reported that the duo caught a charter flight to Port Stewart before boarding what has been described as a “black flight.” This flight allegedly did not activate its transponder during the journey between Coen and Port Stewart, adding to the suspicion surrounding the operation.
Once the plane was over international waters, the transponder was allegedly turned back on.
The Queensland aviation company owner was due to face Ipswich Court today and faces up to 10 years imprisonment after being charged with two counts of people smuggling.
“Black flights attempting to exploit the remoteness of North Queensland can try to fly under the radar by turning off transponders, but every time they land and take off at a remote airstrip, they attract attention,” AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer said.
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