Friday, July 12, 2013
Chen Guoming Picture: SUPPLIED
A SUSPECTED Chinese drug lord was arrested and extradited to China after he was caught in Fiji by an operation involving INTERPOL, Fiji police, Chinese authorities and the immigration department.
Chen Guoming had been on the run from Chinese authorities for seven years and was wanted in China on charges of smuggling, transporting and manufacturing drugs.
A statement issued by the Chinese Ministry of Defence said Mr Chen fled China after police there busted a drug processing factory in 2006, confiscating about 400kg of methamphetamine.
He remained missing until late 2012 when New Zealand police reported seeing a man with similar facial features. It was later confirmed to be him, according to the statement.
Fiji police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said Mr Chen was captured last week after they received a tip that he would be travelling to Fiji from Vanuatu.
"We received the tip and apprehended Mr Guoming when he entered the country on Tuesday, July 2nd, at Nadi International Airport," Ms Naisoro said.
She said Mr Chen was caught travelling on forged documents belonging to a deceased person and was detained in Fiji with four other fake identities in his possession.
She added that he was sent back by officials from the Chinese Ministry of Public Defence to face charges for his alleged crimes.
Ms Naisoro explained that INTERPOL issued a red notice for Mr Chen, which Fiji executed upon his arrival in the country.
"INTERPOL notices are international requests for co-operation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.
"In the case of red notices, the persons concerned are wanted by national jurisdictions for prosecution or to serve a sentence based on an arrest warrant or court decision."
Fiji police chief operations officer ACP Rusiate Tudravu said Fiji's execution of the INTERPOL red notice showed its commitment to the global network.
He said they received information from their counterparts in China and were reliably informed of Mr Chen's movements by the Vanuatu police.
"This multi-agency operation illustrates our commitment through INTERPOL to stopping those thinking they can transcend member country's borders and we will be very firm in the arrest of the wanted persons and to see they are brought to justice."
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