House raided in hunt for American fugitive

Police and an immigration official searched a Whakatane house belonging to the brother of Craig Henwood this week, but did not find his fiance -- American fugitive Juliette Gilbert.

Gilbert is alleged to have kidnapped her son after a custody dispute.

The raid took place about 7.30pm on Tuesday night, while Mr Henwood's brother and sister-in-law Jason and Tania Henwood were home.

"They just came in and had a look around. They had a search warrant," Mrs Henwood said today.

Gilbert has been on the FBI's Most Wanted list since fleeing the United States with nine-year-old son Sky in April 2002, amid a custody battle with husband Roby.

She is now an overstayer in the country, and is being tracked by the New Zealand Immigration Service and police.

Jason and Tania Henwood initially found Gilbert's FBI profile on the internet when she left her fiance.

Department of Labour communications advisor Kathryn O'Sullivan said the Immigration Service was "following a few leads".

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES