Fugitive’s whereabouts still unknown | The West Australian

The whereabouts of alleged drug smuggler Mostafa Baluch are still unknown after his flight on Monday night.

NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller told a budget estimates hearing on Friday afternoon the search for the 33-year-old fugitive will cost “multiple millions of dollars”.

The NSW government should attempt to recover that from the $4 million surety put up for Baluch to receive bail, the state’s top cop said.

Mr Fuller said Baluch, facing charges over an alleged 900kg cocaine importation, had “a lot to lose by staying in custody”.

His whereabouts are still unknown but police have received intelligence he flew out of Bankstown Airport on a private flight the night he cut off his ankle monitor.

Mr Fuller dismissed claims Baluch may have been kidnapped as “absolute rubbish”.

Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott criticised the decision to grant Baluch bail last Friday but rejected the characterisation he “slammed” the presiding magistrate.

Mr Elliott said he was “disappointed” the court didn’t heed police concerns about Baluch being a flight risk “and as a result he’s no longer in custody”.

Public and police needed to hear his frustration and as minister in charge of police he had “an obligation to protect the brand”, Mr Elliott said.