Alleged smuggler linked to numerous boats

20 Jun 2012, 6:37 pm   -   Source: AAP
(AAP)

(AAP)

An alleged people smuggler, linked to boats that brought hundreds of people to Australia, has been extradited to Melbourne to face charges.

An alleged people smuggler, linked to boats that brought hundreds of people to Australia, claimed to be from Afghanistan and had no identification when he arrived with his family this year, a court has heard.

Ewaz Ali Rezaie, 45, appeared on Wednesday in the Adelaide Magistrates Court where he was refused bail and extradited to Melbourne.

He faces charges of arranging to bring five people to Australia last year and being involved in negotiations, that eventually fell through, to arrange passage for a family of four.

The first charge relates to a boat which arrived in December 2011 carrying 181 passengers and three crew.

The Australian Federal Police allege Rezaie was a key player in a people-smuggling syndicate responsible for planning and facilitating the unlawful arrival of numerous vessels bound for Australia.

Prosecutor Jillian Smith said Rezaie arrived by boat in January with his wife and two sons aged 11 and 15.

She said he had no identification papers and claimed to be from Afghanistan.

After spending some time on Christmas Island, Rezaie was moved with his family to immigration detention at Inverbrackie in the Adelaide Hills.

Ms Smith said a number of witnesses, including at least two at Inverbrackie, would identify Rezaie as "their people smuggler" whom they had met in Indonesia.

She said $25,000, which was allegedly brought into the country by one of his sons, had also been seized and investigations had revealed a Malaysian bank account in Rezaie's name.

Ms Smith said inquiries were continuing in relation to a number of other boats, and witnesses were scattered across the country.

She said Rezaie was considered a flight risk and had the means to secure a false passport.

"He is in the business of people smuggling and has an extensive network of associates, both here and outside Australia," she said.

Defence counsel said Rezaie would deny the charges and asked that he simply be taken to Melbourne by immigration officials.

But magistrate Paul Foley said that because of the seriousness of the allegations, Rezaie had an increased incentive to flee.

He remanded him in the custody of Federal Police officers to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Following his arrest, Rezaie's family was removed from Inverbrackie ahead of being relocated to immigration detention in Melbourne.

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