Greek police nab Australia's top drug mobster

ATHENS, Jun 6 (Reuters) Australia's most wanted fugitive, a convicted drug mobster linked to the murder of a rival drug lord, has been arrested by police in Greece after more than a year on the run.

Tony Mokbel, known as ''Fat Tony'', was being held in an Athens jail and Australian police today said they would seek his extradition to complete a nine-year minimum jail sentence for trafficking cocaine.

''The arrested man had forged Australian documents - passport, driver's license - and was disguised wearing a wig,'' Greek police said in a statement.

The statement said he was captured in the Athens coastal suburb of Glyfada on information provided by Australian authorities and a temporary order is expected from the public prosecutor for his extradition to Australia.

Mokbel is also being investigated by Greek authorities for other possible illegal activity in Greece, the statement added.

Mokbel, who is reported to have fled Australia dressed as a priest, faces trial at home where authorities allege he ordered and paid for the murder of crime boss Lewis Moran in a Melbourne club in 2004.

Police had posted a 1 million Australian dollar reward for information leading to his arrest.

Mokbel's arrest in an Athens cafe came as police raided 22 properties in Victoria, which led to the arrest of eight men suspected to be part of a drug trafficking and financing network still controlled by him.

''We believe that Mokbel was directing and organising production and distribution of drugs overseas, was in regular contact with associates in Melbourne and associates in Victoria (who were) distributing cash proceeds of drug sales to him using international banking accounts and cash transfers,'' Victorian state Police Commissioner Christine Nixon said in Melbourne.

Greek police have laid immigration and false document charges against Mokbel, who was shown in police photographs heavily disguised by a dark beard and long black hair.

Australia will have 45 days to outline its case for extradition once the fugitive is served with an arrest warrant.

Moran's death in 2004 was one of a string of gang murders which left 28 people dead over 10 years in a tit-for-tat drugs turf war in Melbourne, Australia's second largest city.

REUTERS KN HT1710