Former national president of the Comanchero bikie club Mark Buddle is due to appear in court after he was allegedly caught with $60,000 in cash on board a private aircraft trying to leave the country
Buddle had been released from a Victorian jail for his role in a strip club brawl when he chartered the twin-engine aircraft from Melbourne's Essendon Airport, bound for Noumea.
It is believed his fiancee, whom he vowed to marry upon his release, and daughter, were also on board the aircraft.
The plane was searched at Newcastle Airport on Tuesday when it stopped to refuel.
Australian Border Force officers allegedly found more than $60,000 of undeclared Australian cash in Buddle's luggage.
Police arrived and charged him with dealing with the suspected proceeds of crime and taking $10,000 or more out of Australia without reporting it.
Buddle had just been released from a Victorian prison after serving 15 months for his role in the violent brawl at Melbourne's Spearmint Rhino strip club in December 2011.
The bikie boss, who was the club's national president before going to jail, pleaded guilty to affray, intentionally causing injury and two counts of common law assault.
Upon being sentenced, Buddle reportedly told the court he was devoted to his young daughter and planned to marry his girlfriend upon his release from prison.
Buddle is due to face Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday.
