Indonesian police nab suspected people-smuggling boss
Posted
Immigration Minister Chris Evans has praised Indonesian police for capturing a man thought to be the ringleader of a sophisticated people smuggling syndicate.
Australian immigration officials believe the man is responsible for at least two boats recently captured in Australian waters.
Senator Evans says the syndicate the man runs is capitalising on an increase in people wanting to flee Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He says the arrest was the result of cooperation between Indonesian and Australian authorities.
"It's a very sophisticated operation using quite new tactics and it's a tremendous result from in particular the Indonesian authorities supported by Australian organisation," he said.
Search for news
ABC News Online takes a look at the big stories from 2008.
