Arrested Tony Mokbel, had shipping company

Australian fugitive Tony Mokbel, arrested by police in Athens, had bought a Greek shipping company, a spokesman for Greece's Office of Public Order said.

The Public Order Office spokesman George Cholidis said that Tony Mokbel, 41, who fled Australia in March last year after failing to appear towards the end of his trial over drug importation, was arrested in an Athens seaside cafe.

Mr Cholidis said police were acting on information from their Australian counterparts.

"It was difficult to find him because he was disguised," Mr Cholidis said.

"I know he has changed many characteristics of his appearance."

Mr Cholidis said Tony Mokbel, who was sentenced in his absence to nine years' jail for trafficking cocaine and also charged with the 2004 murder of underworld figure Lewis Moran, had acquired a Greek shipping company.

"He has a shipping company but I don't think it is functioning, it's only on paper," Mr Cholidis said.

"He has a fake passport and a fake driver's licence and the shipping company may have helped his movements."

It's thought Tony Mokbel fled Australia after transferring more than $20 million to overseas accounts.

In April this year, Victoria Police offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Tony Mokbel capture.

Details of Tony Mokbel and his girlfriend Danielle McGuire, who went missing in Europe last year, had been circulated to Crime Stoppers International and Interpol.

Mr Cholidis said Tony Mokbel and Danielle McGuire have a six months old child.

"But he was alone when he was arrested," Mr Cholidis said.

"He was found at the cafe after information that Australian police gave us."

He said the Athens District Attorney has told police to hold Tony Mokbel until he can be extradited to Australia.

"Inquiries are being held to find if he has any connections here and whether he has committed other crimes, apart from the false passport and false driver's licence," Mr Cholidis said.

"We don't think he has done it all by himself."

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks said he had congratulated Police Commissioner Christine Nixon on Tony Mokbel's arrest.

He said the arrest would have significant implications for other people who were "matters of interest".

"This is good news for Victorian police, for their attack on organised crime, for the new powers given to the police commissioner and for the efforts we have done in giving more resources to catch a criminal such as Tony Mokbel," Mr Bracks told the Nine Network.

"I am sure the force is very proud of what's been achieved today."

The wife of murdered underworld figure Lewis Moran celebrated the capture with a cup of coffee.

"All these predators have to pay the price for the carnage they have caused, especially Mr Mokbel and his co-accused people," said Ms Moran.