Mining tycoon turned fugitive caught in the Philippines

Mining businessman-turned-fugitive Markis Scott Turner has been captured in the Philippines after evading police for more than two years.

In 2011, the 44-year-old was charged with plotting to import 71kg of cocaine into Australia by hiding it in oil barrels.

Australian Federal Police allege that the father-of-two entered into a conspiracy with three Colombian nationals to traffic $20 million worth of cocaine into the country.

He was charged with conspiracy to import drugs to Australia, and then released on bail in 2015

He was charged and then released on a $550,00 bail with a promise to appear at the Brisbane Supreme Court, according to the Courier Mail.

But Turner vanished in 2015, with his family saying they believed he had committed suicide. 

His wife and two children moved to Poland that same year, according to Supreme Court documents. 

However, the police did not believe their story, and continued an investigation into Turner’s whereabouts that finally bore fruit on Saturday afternoon. 

He had been living on the Island Garden City of Samal, Davao City under the alias Filip Novakm before his capture.

Action is now being jointly taken by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s department and the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to secure his extradition to Australia as a matter of urgency. 

Turner has been in custody in the Philippines after his arrest, waiting extradition to Australia

‘We greatly value the assistance provided by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in this matter,’ AFP Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan said in a statement.

‘Our liaison officers have worked closely with the NBI to confirm the location of the man and were permitted to be present when the man was finally arrested.

‘The arrest sends a strong message to would-be fugitives – our reach across the globe is second to none and we will use all our contacts and relationships to find you and bring you before a court.’