Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have arrested two people today as part of their investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Colombian national Sergio Cuesta.
Warrants were executed at properties in Mount Eliza and Cranbourne shortly after 2pm on 30 January.
A 49-year-old Mount Eliza man and a 48-year-old Cranbourne man have been arrested and will now be interviewed by police.
Today’s arrests follow the disappearance of 28-year-old Colombian national Sergio Cuesta just over four months ago.
Sergio was last seen about 8.15pm on 16 September, 2023 when he was dropped off by a male friend on Jabiru Drive in Chelsea Heights.
Sergio did not tell his friend why he wanted to visit the address.
A concerned female friend reported him missing to police on 21 September after she hadn’t heard from him in several days.
Sergio had also not made any contact with his family in Colombia, which was unusual as he often spoke to them daily.
His disappearance is considered completely out of character.
Local police conducted a number of enquiries following this report, including checking that he had not left the country.
However, Sergio’s disappearance was subsequently deemed to be suspicious and is being investigated by detectives from the Missing Persons Squad.
Investigators are now of the belief that Sergio has met with foul play.
Over the past few months, police have spoken with a number of Sergio’s associates in Melbourne.
A significant CCTV canvas was also undertaken, and police are still going through this footage to try and determine Sergio’s movements.
Prior to his disappearance, he had been living in an apartment on Queens Road and was subject to an expired student visa.
He was also on bail in relation to drug offences and was known to have contact with people suspected to be involved in drug trafficking.
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone with information about Sergio’s movements in the lead up to his disappearance.
Sergio had also spent some time in Queensland in the weeks leading up to his disappearance and police are keen to speak to anyone living there who may have information about his disappearance or why he travelled interstate.
Sergio is described as being about 170cm tall with a solid build and dark hair.
At the time he was last seen, Sergio was wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and black sneakers.
Detectives are also releasing an image of Sergio in the hope that will assist people to come forward with information about his disappearance.
Anyone with any other information regarding his disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector David Dunstan, Missing Persons Squad:
“Sergio’s disappearance is incredibly concerning for police, as well as his friends and family. It is considered to be completely out of character, and he has never been reported missing before.
“We currently have two people in custody and we are hopeful that this will present further avenues of enquiry in relation to Sergio’s current whereabouts.
“Sadly, we do believe at this time that he has met with foul play and is no longer alive.
“Sergio had a number of connections here in Melbourne and we know that several of those people are believed to be involved in drug trafficking. We have spoken to many of those people and received a number of varying accounts of Sergio’s movements during the last few days where he had contact with people.
“We also know that Sergio had been in trouble with the law during his time in Melbourne and was on bail in relation to drug offences. This offending and his drug trafficking links have provided us with a number of ongoing avenues of enquiry.
“Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have information about Sergio’s current whereabouts or what has happened to him. We are particularly appealing for anyone in the Colombian community who was any information, even if it is simply speculation or rumour, to come forward and speak to us. As always, this can be done anonymously.”
Natalie Webster
