A UK man wanted in Western Australia over drug-related offences has been arrested in the Torres Strait after allegedly trying to flee the country on a jetski.

Key points: The man was found 150km from his launch point, on the eastern side of Saibai Island

The man was found 150km from his launch point, on the eastern side of Saibai Island The UK citizen was in possession of a crossbow during his journey but did not have it with him when arrested

The UK citizen was in possession of a crossbow during his journey but did not have it with him when arrested Police say the arrest stands as a warning to other would-be fugitives

The man, who was carrying additional fuel and supplies, was seen launching a jetski at Pundsand Bay near the tip of Queensland's Cape York Peninsula on Monday.

Local police alerted the Australian Border Force, and the man was identified as a 57-year-old from the UK who was wanted on drug charges in Western Australia.

A search was launched and the man — who has not been officially named — and his jetski were found on mudflats on the eastern side of Saibai Island in the Torres Strait.

Saibai Island is a few kilometres off the coast of Papua New Guinea and is one of a string of islands in the Torres Strait that belong to Australia. It is about 150 kilometres from the tip of Cape York.

"He gave it a red-hot go," Queensland Police spokesman Jock O'Keeffe told the Guardian.

The man had an outstanding warrant for drug-related charges. ( Supplied: Australian Federal Police )

Mr O'Keeffe said the man was carrying a crossbow at the start of his long ocean journey, but said he did not have the weapon with him when he was arrested.

Torres Strait islanders reportedly helped police to track the man, calling in with updates as he passed or landed on their islands.

"It's a bit unusual to try and get from Pundsand Bay all the way to PNG. He stuck out like the proverbial," Mr O'Keeffe told the Guardian.

After his arrest, the man was transported by boat to Thursday Island.

He is expected to be extradited from Queensland to Western Australia.

Australian Border Force commander Jo Crooks said the saga should serve as a warning to anyone thinking they could flee from Australia through the Torres Strait.

"Anyone who thinks they can either enter or leave Australia through the region without detection should think again," she said.

An Australian Federal Police spokesperson said the arrest sent a strong message to would-be fugitives.

"Our reach across Australia is second to none and we will use all our contacts and relationships to find you and bring you before a court."