He was once considered one of the toughest cops in a tough town.

But former Sydney detective Roger Rogerson cut a frail, dazed figure as the 73-year-old was frogmarched from his modest suburban home to police custody on Tuesday.

A media pack surrounded Rogerson’s Padstow Heights home waiting for a glimpse of the man for whom police had searched interstate.

Jamie Gao was “well-liked” say friends.

Rogerson had been in Queensland on Monday for a speaking event, work in which he has dabbled since his departure from the police force in the late 1980s.

Sydney’s detectives had flown to Brisbane on Monday to talk to Rogerson about the murder of Jamie Gao, 20, a week before.

But it seemed the former detective had found his own way home to Sydney’s southwest.

Around 11am Tuesday, an hour before Rogerson had agreed to attend the Sydney Police Centre, several detectives arrived at his home.

Two targeted the side gate, with one effortlessly leaping over into Rogerson’s side yard.

Up to four others banged on the front door, before walking in and intervening on a meeting between Rogerson and his lawyer Paul Kenny in the home’s office.

Rogerson’s wife was also home and the pet dog barked incessantly as the drama unfolded.

Less than 10 minutes later, an incensed Mr Kenny came out blazing and deploring the behaviour of the arresting officers.

Rogerson faced a wall of cameras outside his home.

A rattled Rogerson, who clutched a jacket in his cuffed hands, faced a wall of cameras outside his home minutes after.

As microphones were thrust in his direction and reporters tripped over each other to get a question in, Rogerson got a final word before he was led into a waiting undercover car: “We’re back to the Gestapo days now.”

Mr Kenny was left in his client’s front yard, pacing back and forth and labelling the surprise detective visit an “absolute disgrace”.

Police allege Mr Gao was killed as part of a drug deal. They say almost three kilograms of what was believed to be methamphetamine had been found.

Rogerson was whisked away to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with murdering the 20-year-old Mr Gao and large commercial drug supply.

Detectives have seized three cars, including a blue Ford Falcon and a white Ford Falcon, as well as a boat from properties in Sydney’s south as part of their investigation.

Police are still looking for two Asian males who were in Mr Gao’s car on the day of his disappearance.

AAP with ABC