Home

Police investigate if millionaire restaurateur Mostafa Baluch fled Sydney in private jet

Jack Paynter, Steve Zemek and Catie McLeodNCA NewsWire
Police believe Mostafa Baluch may also be travelling in a dark grey coloured Mercedes SUV.
Camera IconPolice believe Mostafa Baluch may also be travelling in a dark grey coloured Mercedes SUV. Credit: Supplied

A millionaire restaurateur charged with financing a major drug importation syndicate may have fled Sydney on a private jet.

Mostafa Baluch, 33, who owned Northbridge’s Cervo restaurant before it closed, is alleged to have been the financier behind a 900kg shipment of cocaine into Australia that had a street value of $270m.

He is now the subject of a “massive” manhunt after NSW Police said on Tuesday he had skipped bail and was believed to have left the northern beaches.

One line of inquiry is whether Mr Baluch left Sydney on a private jet from Bankstown Airport after removing his ankle monitoring device on Monday night.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW
NSW Police have engaged interstate law enforcement to help in the search for Mostafa Baluch.
Camera IconNSW Police have engaged interstate law enforcement to help in the search for Mostafa Baluch. Credit: Supplied

He reportedly checked in at Mona Vale Police Station on Monday and then returned to his multimillion-dollar waterfront home on Pittwater Rd in Bayview where he was last seen by his family about 10.40pm.

Police were then alerted to the fact his ankle tag had been tampered with.

But by the time police arrived at the location Mr Baluch was gone.

NSW Police fear Mr Baluch may have left NSW and could be attempting to flee overseas, and have engaged interstate law enforcement to help in the search.

Victoria Police, Queensland Police Service and the Western Australia Police Force have all shared his image on social media.

Detective Superintendent Rob Critchlow said Mr Baluch’s wider circle of friends “could be certain” they would be under scrutiny from police.

Mostafa Baluch was arrested in June. NSW Police Force
Camera IconMostafa Baluch was arrested in June. NSW Police Force Credit: Supplied

Detectives believe he could also be travelling in a dark grey coloured Mercedes SUV.

“It is a safe bet that considering the matters he’s facing and the strength of the evidence that has been amassed that he will seek to leave at least the jurisdiction of NSW and probably Australia,” Mr Critchlow said on Tuesday.

Mr Baluch, who was charged with multiple serious offences in June, was granted bail with strict conditions and released from custody at Sydney Central Local Court last Thursday.

The conditions included that he put up a $4 million surety, report to Mona Vale police stations daily, not communicate with any witness, not drink alcohol or take drugs, not use encrypted devices and be fitted with an ankle monitor.

He was scheduled to appear before the NSW Supreme Court for a bail hearing the Tuesday morning after he vanished.

Mr Critchlow said a significant amount of police work was now “under threat”.

Police believe Mostafa Baluch may also be travelling in a dark grey coloured Mercedes SUV.
Camera IconPolice believe Mostafa Baluch may also be travelling in a dark grey coloured Mercedes SUV. Credit: Supplied

“A lot of police resources from agencies all around the world (were used) to investigate this fellow earlier in the year and get a substantial amount of evidence for a very serious offence,” he said.

“All I can say is this man is a very dangerous offender. He presents a risk to the Australian community and probably now the world community.”

Police charged Mr Baluch with supplying a prohibited drug and dealing with the proceeds of crime in June.

Later that month, while in custody, police laid further charges of conspiracy to import a commercial quantity of border-controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty.

Police are appealing for public assistance to find Mr Baluch who is wanted in relation breaching bail.

“Mostafa is described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance, about 180cm tall, of a muscular build, with black hair, brown eyes and unshaven,” NSW Police said in a statement.

“Anyone who sights Mostafa, or who has information about his whereabouts, is urged not to approach him and to call triple-0 immediately.”

Originally published as Police investigate if millionaire restaurateur Mostafa Baluch fled Sydney in private jet

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails