Aussie rugby star’s dad held over drug charges

Gregor Johann Haas —photo from Bureau of Immigration

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has arrested the father of a popular Australian rugby player pending deportation to Indonesia for allegedly smuggling more than five kilograms of methamphetamine last December.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Gregor Johann Haas, 46, was arrested in Bogo City in Cebu after Interpol issued a red notice filed against him by Indonesian authorities.

READ: Canadian linked to shabu bust in Alitagtag, Batangas nabbed

Tansingco described Haas as “a high-profile fugitive for being an alleged member of the Sinaloa cartel, a large international organized crime syndicate based in Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, that specializes in drug trafficking and money laundering activities.”

READ: BI to deport fugitive Chinese national

Awaiting deportation

The suspect, father of Brisbane Broncos forward prop Payne Haas, is now detained at the warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City pending deportation to Indonesia, where he may face the death sentence.

In Jakarta, Krishma Murti, the head of the National Police’s International Relations Division, told The Associated Press that they wanted Haas to be flown immediately to Indonesia.

“We suspect he has networks all over Asia and in Australia,” Murti said, adding that they have been hunting down Gregor Haas since December.

But Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the case was still in its very early stages and Canberra would make representations on Haas’ behalf.

“The Australian government has a bipartisan position of being opposed to the death penalty for a long period of time. That remains our position, and we always make representations,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Albanese as saying.

“It is, of course, at a very early stage of these accusations, which have been made. We will provide consular assistance to Mr. Haas, as we do for all Australian citizens in such circumstances.”