International hunt for fugitive Australian fashion designer after 12 years comes to an end as disturbing image of him battered and covered in blood in Bali emerges
- Australian fashion designer arrested 12 years after fleeing country to Europe
- Benjamin Woodcock was wanted on drug charges before leaving Australia in 2010.
- Video shows him with a bloody face in Bali before being arrested in Croatia in August
An Australian fashion designer wanted on drug charges has been arrested in Europe after a 12-year investigation has ended.
Benjamin Woodcock is said to have been arrested in Croatia in August and extradited to Western Australia on Friday after fleeing Australia by boat in 2010.
He skipped the country because he faced drug-related charges after half a kilogram of methamphetamine was found hidden in his underwear.
Woodcock allegedly traveled around the world using a false name and passport, and is suspected to have been involved in several dangerous situations.
In one of the conflicting videos, he was filmed with a bloodied face following an incident that allegedly involved a home in Bali.
For the designer who co-founded boutique fashion label Illionaire and launched the brand at Fashion Week in 2007, this represents a catastrophic fall from grace.
An Australian fashion designer who skipped bail after being wanted on drug charges has been arrested in Europe, ending a 12-year manhunt.
In one of the conflicting videos, Woodcock was filmed with a bloodied face after an incident with locals in Bali.
Woodcock is said to have been found with $800,000 worth of meth after being pulled over by police in Maylands, Perth in August 2010.
He was ordered to appear in police three times a week as part of his bail conditions, but failed to do so and an arrest warrant was issued in October.
Police believe that Woodcock traveled around the world and left the country by boat before visiting countries such as Indonesia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Spain.
Woodcock was using three fake passports, including a British passport named ‘Matt Black’, The West Australian reported.
Later, a video was released showing Woodcock, who is staying in Bali this year, with a bloody face.
Locals posted footage claiming he tried to set fire to the house, and complained that one resident “caused so much trouble.”
Woodcock is seen in footage with blood oozing from his face and soaking into his loose-fitting T-shirt.
Woodcock is said to have used three fake passports, including a British one named ‘Matte Black’.
In one scene, he is seen lying on the ground next to a can with a nozzle.
He then traveled to Europe before being arrested by local Croatian police at Dubrovnik airport on August 1.
Washington State Police Chief Gordon Fairman praised police for successfully extraditing him to Australia after a lengthy investigation.
“For 12 years, we have been investigating the disappearance of this man. did,” he said.
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