A Victorian man who disappeared five years ago while on a trial over a plot to import 186kg of cocaine has been arrested at Melbourne Airport.
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Omer Tok has been on the run since 2018, when he went missing while on bail.
He was among six men accused of trying to import 186kg of cocaine via a "mothership" controlled by a Chinese crime syndicate and stationed between Australia and New Zealand.
Tok was released on the condition he put up a $100,000 surety because he allegedly played a small role in the smuggling plot.
He was also required to report daily to police as part of his bail conditions.
Tok was arrested on Saturday afternoon when he arrived voluntarily at Melbourne Airport on a flight from Doha.
Police will allege the 46-year-old fled Australia using someone else's passport and spent time in Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria.
He appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday with an array of charges including attempting to import a border control drug, dishonestly obtaining an Australian travel document and failure to appear in court.
The maximum penalty for attempting to import a border controlled drug is life imprisonment.
Victoria Police Detective Superintendent Dave Cowan said the arrest was a warning to anyone who thought they could hide offshore in a perceived safe haven while making huge illicit profits at the expensive of the Australian community.
"We do not forget and we do not give up," he said.
Tok will appear in court again on November 27.
Australian Associated Press
