Interpol in hunt for tourist on run
New Zealand Police and Interpol are working together to track down one of the unruly tourists who failed to appear in court and left the country on another person’s passport.
James Anthony Nolan, 26, has a warrant out for his arrest after failing to appear in court over the past few weeks.
He faces allegations of fraud, assault with a weapon and reckless driving. Nolan is linked to the British family widely dubbed as the “unruly tourists” who caused disruption around New Zealand over the summer holidays.
Police said that as part of their investigation to locate Nolan, they had liaised with partner agencies including Customs and ensured border alerts were put in place.
“Interpol has been notified and police continue to liaise with our partner agencies both in New Zealand and offshore,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bridget Doell said.
Customs confirmed Nolan left the country having “deliberately circumvented border controls by using a valid passport that was not his own”.
In a blunder that was described as “a case of human error”, Nolan was waved on by a Customs official after the eGate passport check — which uses biometric data to match and confirm a person’s identity — flagged him as a potential risk.
“The eGate identified further checks were needed on the passport,” Customs said in a statement.
“The image was automatically sent to a Customs officer, who incorrectly identified Nolan as the passport owner.”
Customs Minister Kris Faafoi called the Customs episode a “human error which shouldn’t have happened”.
Customs is now reviewing its processes and Faafoi said he had been reassured it was an exceptionally rare occurrence.
An overhaul of systems was recommended by a Government inquiry, following the escape of convicted murderer and sex offender Phillip John Smith to Brazil in November 2014, to prevent prisoners and wanted persons from leaving the country.
The inquiry found deficiencies in how multiple Government agencies shared information.
In particular, it said police should provide Customs with better information on who should not be allowed to leave the country.