Mark Morri
HE’S one of Australia’s most wanted men, but that didn’t stop alleged drug lord Hakan Ayik being granted bail in northern Cyprus yesterday.
The Facebook gangster, as he is known, was arrested in a hotel room on the island on December 20.
Ayik, 32, was freed on $63,000 bail – small change to a man who drives $300,000 cars and wears watches worth $20,000.
He fled Australia in August and is the subject of an international arrest warrant for his alleged involvement in the importation of 175kg of heroin worth more than $50 million, which arrived at Sydney’s Port Botany from Bangkok in July.
The court seized his passport and told him not to leave the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus until after his trial for “illegal possession of medicines and pharmaceutical products”.
He could be extradited to Australia, or put on trial, if he meets his bail conditions and returns – something that his history suggests is doubtful.
“It’s well known serious criminals have no trouble getting false passports,” former NSW assistant police commissioner Clive Small said. “And Ayik fled Australia while under investigation for drug importations involving millions of dollars.”
Since leaving Australia, Ayik has posted videos on his Facebook site which allegedly show him driving expensive cars and partying with prostitutes.
Ayik, a keen bodybuilder, posted a note in Turkish on September 1 saying: “Catch me if you can.”
He has strong links to the Comanchero bikie gang in Australia.
Police seized equipment used to make narcotics, steroids, a laptop and eight mobile phones in his hotel room when they arrested him.
In November, Ayik was shot at by Turkish Cypriot police when he attempted to cross the Turkish border through the Ayios Dhometios checkpoint. He fled to the north when officers realised he was wanted on an international arrest warrant.
Source: www. heraldsun.com.au
