UK man wanted over drug charges in WA detained after fleeing on a jet ski

A man wanted for drug charges in WA has been arrested allegedly attempting to flee Australia on a jet ski.

The 57-year-old man from the UK was seen launching a jet ski at Pundsand Bay on Cape York Peninsula in Queensland on Monday, possibly armed with a cross bow and carrying additional fuel and supplies.

Australian Border Force officers and police were sent to the northern Torres Strait islands to intercept the man after the island’s councillors discovered he intended to buy fuel there before allegedly attempting to flee to Papua New Guinea.

He was detained on the Saibai Islands and taken to Thursday Island, where he was held pending extradition to WA.

An AFP spokesman said the arrest sent a strong message to would-be fugitives.

“Our reach across Australia is second to none and we will use all our contacts and relationships to find you and bring you before a court,” he said.

ABF Northern Command commander Jo Crooks said the result highlighted the effectiveness of the collaborative joint agency approach in the Torres Strait.

“This is a perfect example of local intelligence sharing, community support, Australian Border Operations Centre coordination and out maritime capability all working together to enable a quick and effective multi-agency response to a situation,” Commander Crooks said.