Police Commissioner Mike Bush has spoken to Brazil's Ambassador to New Zealand to thank him for the swift apprehension of Phillip Smith in Rio de Janeiro this morning.
"I told His Excellency Mr Eduardo Gradilone that we were very grateful for the outstanding work undertaken by the Brazil Federal Police in locating Mr Smith and placing him in custody.
"The co-operation we have received from the authorities in Brazil has been excellent and is testament to the relationship we have built with law enforcement agencies there in recent years." said Mr Bush
Police are now working with Brazil authorities to arrange the return of Mr Smith to New Zealand.
He was apprehended by the Brazil Federal Police at a hostel in the suburb of Santa Teresa at 2am New Zealand time today. He appeared in court following his arrest.
The court imposed an administration warrant on Smith and he is currently held in custody.
New Zealand Police and the Interpol Wellington bureau met this morning with officials from MFAT, the Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice to work through the options for returning Mr Smith to New Zealand.
These options include deportation by the Brazilian Government or, alternatively, extradition. Mr Smith could also elect to return voluntarily to New Zealand.
"We must respect the legal processes of Brazil and work with authorities there to achieve Mr Smith's lawful return to New Zealand." said Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess
"There are a number of complexities involved. Police and other agencies are very focussed on making the right decisions so that he is properly returned to New Zealand and put before the courts here.
"I am unable to put a timeframe on when this might happen - it could occur very quickly or it may take some time. We will have a better idea of timing once the process to bring Smith back to New Zealand has been clarified between authorities here and in Brazil."
"We will keep the victims informed of the process as we work through it.
"It is very satisfying for us that these victims know Smith is in custody where he should be and unable to re-victimise them." said Mr Burgess
An Emergency Travel Document (ETD) is also being prepared to allow Mr Smith to travel once the necessary arrangements are in place.
Speaking in Rio de Janeiro, New Zealand Police liaison officer Detective Superintendent Mike Pannett said he was very grateful for the prompt apprehension of Smith by the Brazil Federal Police.
"We are also grateful to the public in Rio de Janeiro who have shown very good vigilance in knowing that Smith was in their community."
Mr Pannett verified Smith's identity when he was first apprehended and continues to liaise with the authorities in Brazil.
Smith faces a charge of escaping the custody of Corrrections on his return to New Zealand, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment.
Meanwhile the investigation by the Auckland based inquiry team into the circumstances surrounding Smith's escape is continuing.
"Obviously we will want to speak to Mr Smith at an appropriate point to hear his version of events." said Mr Burgess.
"In the meantime the inquiry team is pursuing numerous lines of inquiry and are building a clearer picture every day of the circumstances around Smith's absconding."
END
A media stand-up will be held at 3pm today at Police National Headquarters, 180 Molesworth Street, Wellington with Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess.
Issued by:
Grant Ogilvie, PNHQ media team
021 191 0005