A British man has been stopped by police after allegedly trying to flee Australia on a jet ski.

The man set off from Cape York in northern Queensland on Monday, apparently hoping to reach Papua New Guinea – a distance of just over 90 miles.

Police say he is wanted over drugs offences in Western Australia.

Officers were tipped off about a man “possibly armed with a crossbow and carrying additional fuel and supplies” launching a jet ski from the peninsula.

Various agencies chased the man and his jet ski across the Torres Strait and stopped them just a few miles short of Papua New Guinea.

The man, 57, was not publicly identified but was taken by police back as far as Thursday Island off the Queensland coast.

He was held there pending his extradition to Western Australia.

Jo Crooks, of the Australian Border Force, said: “We have the ability to detect a range of border threats, including suspicious movements through the region.

“Anyone who thinks they can either enter or leave Australia through the region without detection should think again.”

A spokesman for the Australian Federal Police added: “This arrest sends a strong message to would-be fugitives – our reach across Australia is second to none and we will use all our contacts and relationships to find you and bring you before a court.”

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