If you want to extradite a criminal from New Zealand . . .

. . . make sure you buy the officers and him a ticket on a flight with no lay-overs:

In an embarrassing episode for the police, Rafal Luczynski, 32, slipped away from two detectives while being deported to Poland.

The drug lord, who is believed to have connections to the Polish mafia, was reported missing in Heathrow's Terminal One early on the morning of October 12. He had served 3½ years in a New Zealand prison for importing amphetamine.

Police spokesman Michael Player said Luczynski was out of the jurisdiction of New Zealand authorities.

New Zealand police were responsible for deporting the escape artist, who previously slipped his shackles in 2001 when he fled New Zealand while on home detention, but not for ensuring he arrived in Poland.

"He's no longer wanted by New Zealand police at all," Mr Player said.

"It's just unfortunate that he exited ahead of his destination, but really he's now a UK responsibility."

Oops.