Smith arrested in Brazil

Stuff reports:

Escaped prisoner Phillip John Smith has been taken into custody by Brazil Federal Police, NZ Police Commissioner Mike Bush has confirmed.

A New Zealand Police liaison officer in Brazil visited Smith after his arrest and confirmed his identity.

Smith was due to appear in court at 7am in relation to an Interpol Red Notice and the New Zealand arrest warrant.

Bush confirmed Smith was located at a hostel in the Rio de Janeiro suburb of Santa Teresa, Brazil about 2am (NZ time).

He was now in the custody of Brazil Federal Police. 

That is welcome news. All his planning seems to have achieved little except probably getting him back behind bars for longer.

Police would work with the Brazil authorities, Interpol and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in order to make the necessary arrangements to return Smith to New Zealand.

There is no extradition treaty with Brazil but somehow I don’t think they will be keen to have a convicted murderer and paedophile remain in Brazil when they can return him to NZ.