An alleged NSW drug kingpin who changed his name and spent over two years on the run after skipping bail in 2014 has been arrested despite creating a new life with a partner who had no idea about his true identity.
Darren Rispen, 42, was arrested at Nelson Bay in the state's Hunter region just before midday on Monday, having been under surveillance by officers from State Crime Command's Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad.
"He walked under our nose and we jumped on him," Detective Acting Superintendent Steve Patton told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
Rispen was arrested in 2014 on charges relating to the alleged supply of drugs by a criminal syndicate in western Sydney.
He was granted bail but failed to show up to court in December that year and had been on the run since.
Act Supt Patton said Rispen was both surprised and angry when police caught up with him, having changed his name, grown a beard and altered his appearance.
"He'd gone to a fair bit of effort and had a decent crack at it," he said.
"He'd found himself a new partner and early indications are that she wasn't aware of his real identity."
Rispen was charged with 27 offences relating to supply and possession of prohibited drugs, dealing with the proceeds of crime and directing a criminal group.
Act Supt Patton said Rispen would still have to face those same charges.
"He was at the top rung of that syndicate, we'll be alleging."
Monday's arrest came after NSW Police last year joined a national campaign designed to boost the sharing of information about wanted criminals across state and territory jurisdictions.
It follows the weekend arrest of Jayde Schackow, who appeared on a list of Queensland's most wanted fugitives.
The 29-year-old was found on Saturday night hiding under a child's bed when riot squad officers forced their way into a home on Sydney's outskirts.
Schackow, who breached parole conditions after being handed a lengthy sentence in 2010, was wanted in NSW in relation to 2016 domestic violence allegations and in Queensland on a string of charges including burglary and unlawful use of motor vehicles.
Act Supt Patton said the two arrests within three days should send a message to other fugitives.
"There's a fair indication the program's working. Be nervous because, eventually, you're going to come unstuck," he said.
Share
