Australian Fugitive Found Hiding in Lavatory of Private Jet at Bali Airport

Indonesian authorities arrested an Australian fugitive hiding in the lavatory of a private jet as it was about to take off from Bali's Denpasar airport on Saturday. Officers rushed on board after the pilot was ordered to return from the runway to the VIP Terminal.

Immigration officials had become suspicious of a man traveling on a Brazilian passport with no record of entry to Indonesia or a valid residence permit.

The plane was scheduled to depart for Maputo, Mozambique. Officials found three passengers in the cabin and the suspect hiding in the lavatory, Bali immigration authorities said in a statement. Australian media identified the man as Angelo Pandeli, a 55-year-old prominent member of a motorbike gang linked to drug trafficking and wanted by Interpol.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission in 2021 alleged Pandeli was part of the "Aussie Cartel," which was allegedly responsible for smuggling drugs into Australia, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. He was apparently using someone else's Brazilian passport to evade arrest.

The 55-year-old was suspected in a series of large-scale drug smuggling operations, according to the Australian Federal Police.

"The individual was immediately deported following a direct request from the Australian Embassy to undergo further legal proceedings in Australia," an Indonesian immigration official told the ABC. Indonesian authorities have vowed not to let the popular holiday island of Bali become a hideout for international criminals.

Just days ago, officials said Indonesian authorities arrested two Russian nationals suspected of smuggling drugs into Bali after a high-speed car chase hit several pedestrians.