Mostafa Baluch allegedly cut tracking device off his ankle after being bailed over $270m cocaine plot

A Sydney man who police say is involved in the “highest levels of organised crime” may be trying to flee the country after he allegedly cut a tracking device off his ankle last night.

Mostafa Baluch is charged with financing an attempt to import 900 kilograms of cocaine into NSW earlier this year.

A manhunt is underway for the 33-year-old after he disappeared from his home on Sydney’s northern beaches last night, just days after he was granted bail.

Police say they will now move to seize the $4 million Bayview home that Mr Baluch put up as surety.

“He’s currently on bail for very serious crimes,” Organised Crime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Rob Critchlow said.

“We are concerned for the safety of the public that this man is at large.”

Northern beaches police responded shortly after the tracking bracelet was allegedly removed about 10:30pm last night.

“To cut a bracelet off your ankle which has been imposed by the court shows a very serious intent to flee,” he said.

“By the time we responded which was very, very quickly, he was nowhere to be seen.”

Detective Superintendent Critchlow said he was quite certain that Mr Baluch was being helped by others. 

“He’s a person that’s well connected we will allege to other criminals,” he said.

“We also know for a fact he has substantial financial assets, which we would expect he’s utilising to flee at the least our jurisdiction, maybe the country.

“Anyone in his circle of friends and family should also keep us updated because you can be sure we will be visiting anyone we know is connected to (Mr Baluch).”

Police believe he may be travelling in a dark grey luxury car.

NSW Police Minister David Elliott said Mr Baluch should hand himself in as early as possible.

“He doesn’t deserve the confidence that the court has afforded him,” he said.

“I’m pretty confident knowing the technology and surveillance techniques of the NSW Police he’ll be found.

“My advice to him is to save yourself some time and anxiety and present yourself to the local police station today.”

Police advise anyone who spots Mr Baluch not to approach him but to call triple-0 immediately.

The cocaine at the centre of the alleged importation attempt was seized from a vessel travelling off the coast of Ecuador in April and had a street value of $270 million.

Police allege it was one of several intended shipments in a plot to import three tonnes of cocaine into the state.

Mr Baluch was charged in June with conspiracy to import commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug, supplying a controlled drug and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and other drug offences.

His arrest followed an investigation, assisted by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, into an organised crime syndicate operating across Australia to North and South America.