Australian Night Club Owner Extradited

A global arrest warrant was issued for the 27-year-old last month after he was allegedly linked to a drug manufacturing syndicate.

Freeman presented himself shortly before 5am (AEST) and told authorities he was aware there was a warrant in Australia for his arrest.

Australian Federal Police in Thailand will question Freeman – whose brother David co-owns Kings Cross nightclub Lady Lux – after he left Australia hours after his associates were charged with drug matters allegedly involving almost 20kg of ecstasy.

The drugs were found in a van linked to Freeman’s childhood friend and business partner Andrew Moss.

Two weeks before last Christmas Freeman paid cash for a one-way ticket to Thailand via Hong Kong.

Freeman’s solicitor Abigail Bannister said her client was in Thailand on business and had been unaware of any police interest in him.

She said Freeman had booked a flight to return voluntarily to Australia this weekend, but after being informed that he needed to hand himself in to Thai custody prior to returning he surrendered himself to the Australian embassy.

“Mr Freeman strongly protests his innocence and (will) strenuously defend the charge,” Ms Bannister said.

“He hopes that as an Australian citizen and as a person innocent of any wrongdoing, that the government will do their absolute utmost to ensure his swift and safe return.”

Ms Bannister also denied there had been a warrant for Freeman’s arrest issued prior to him leaving the country.

On May 18 The Daily Telegraph revealed the global arrest warrant had been issued for Freeman’s arrest, with police alleging his fingerprints had been found on glassware used to make the drugs.

The arrest warrant was granted in early May after police established they had solid evidence linking Freeman to the drugs.

A police statement tendered to Sutherland Local Court alleged Freeman is linked to a number of co-accused charged with manufacture of the ecstasy haul, one of the largest ever found in NSW.

Police said Moss and co-accused Michael Haynes, 27, both of Cronulla, were driving a rented van near Tamworth on December 15 when they were stopped for a random breath test.

Police allegedly saw drug manufacturing equipment in the van, impounded it and arrested the two men, charging them with with possessing drug-making apparatus.

Press Release: AAP