A wanted British man who fled Australia on a jet ski and armed with a crossbow, almost made the 140 kilometre journey across the Torres Strait from Cape York to Papua New Guinea.

He was apprehended at mudflats on the eastern side of Saibai Island - just a few kilometres from PNG.

Police say the man, 57, is wanted for drug-related offences in Western Australia and will be extradited back there.

Google Maps

His failed bolt to PNG came after Queensland police learned he'd been seen launching a jet ski loaded with fuel, supplies and possibly a crossbow at Pundsand Bay on Cape York.

Three agencies - Australian Border Force, federal police and Queensland - launched an co-ordinated response when they realised he may have been a wanted man.

Border force officers, Torres Strait Councillors and locals tracked the man's travel path and learned of his intention to purchase enough fuel to make it to PNG.

Australian Government.

After making it through the chain of islands the man was finally arrested a few kilometres from his destination.

He was taken on board ABFC Roebuck Bay and was transported to Thursday Island to be held by Queensland police pending extradition to WA.

The jet ski was towed to Saibai island.

READ MORE Russian tourist arrested smuggling Indonesian orangutan out of Bali

ABF Commander Northern Command, Jo Crooks, said the arrest was the result of local intelligence sharing.

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