A man identified as the alleged head of a Sydney-based criminal group with Fijian links has reportedly been detained in Dubai while travelling to Lebanon.
According to Australia’s Daily Telegraph, Joseph Vokai was detained by authorities in the United Arab Emirates during a stopover and has been held without charge for the past week.
The newspaper reports that Vokai is the alleged leader of the KVT, a Sydney-based group it says is dominated by Fijian members.
The report states that Vokai was travelling to visit members of the Alameddine crime clan in Lebanon when he was detained.
The Daily Telegraph says Vokai is the latest in a series of Sydney-based crime figures detained by Dubai authorities as the UAE steps up action against individuals suspected of links to organised crime.
According to the newspaper, several other alleged Australian underworld figures have also been detained or removed from the UAE in recent months.
The report quotes a senior New South Wales Police source as saying authorities were aware of Vokai’s detention.
“We share intelligence with all international law enforcement agencies around the world,” the source was quoted as saying.
The source added that the Australian Federal Police also plays an active role in ensuring overseas authorities are aware of individuals suspected of involvement in organised crime.
The Daily Telegraph further reported that law enforcement agencies are increasingly working with international partners to disrupt the activities of alleged criminal syndicates operating across multiple countries.
Authorities in the UAE and Australia have not publicly announced any criminal charges against Vokai in relation to the reported detention.
