Comanchero boss extradited to Melbourne

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Comanchero boss extradited to Melbourne

Comanchero boss Mark Buddle has been extradited to Melbourne from Darwin over the alleged importation of $40 million worth of cocaine into Australia.

The Australian Federal Police said officers escorted the 37-year-old on a chartered flight from Darwin to Melbourne this morning.

It is the last move in a series of extraditions.

After being arrested by AFP officers in Darwin earlier this week, Buddle was taken into custody by Turkish authorities in Australia.

He was deported to Turkey from Northern Cyprus last month and taken into police custody in the capital, Ankara.

After being granted a residency permit in August 2021, he had been living in the self-declared republic of Northern Cyprus.

A judge in Darwin has granted a request for Mr Buddle to be extradited to Melbourne.

Mr Buddle faces two charges over the alleged importation of cocaine worth $40 million in Victoria.

Both the charges of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug and importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

He is expected to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday.