One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives who was linked to international cocaine smuggling is arrested in Spain

One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Spain over his alleged links to international cocaine smuggling.

Simon Dutton, 49, was held in La Nucia, north Benidorm, just hours after the launch of a new campaign aimed at bringing to justice 12 men believed to be hiding in the Costas.

It was learned that the arrest took place early this morning. Police only made this information public this evening after the National Crime Agency released the latest wanted list of Operation Captura in Alicante.

Convicted drug trafficker Dutton, of Manchester Bolton, was first arrested in a bar in Greece in December 2015 and was wanted on recall to prison.

Lag, who has a ‘Rachel’ tattoo on his left arm, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in September 2016 for large-scale cocaine importation and money laundering.

The Civil Guard, which carried out today’s Costa Blanca arrest, released footage showing an army of heavily armed police surrounding a whitewashed villa and forcing their way inside, shouting “Police, police” in English.

The thieves stormed the property with search dogs and were filmed counting large wads of cash.

A man believed to be Dutton was filmed being escorted to a patrol car during daylight hours.

At least 12 of Britain’s most wanted criminals are thought to be hiding in Spain

A Civil Guard spokesman, who did not officially name Dutton, although well-placed sources confirmed it was him, said this evening: ‘The Civil Guard in Alicante has arrested one of the fugitives involved in a UK-led international search operation against criminals linked to organized crime, coinciding with the rollout of the latest “Most Wanted” campaign.

‘The arrest was made as part of an operation against a network linked to drug trafficking and counterfeiting in Benidorm and La Nucia, in which three other people were also arrested.

‘The investigation began in November 2025, after the manager of a courier company in Benidorm reported that a bag containing 16 kilos of cannabis resin was to be sent to England.

‘Initial investigations led to the identification of a woman who organized the delivery using false documents.

‘Investigators discovered he had traveled to the establishment with another person and received logistical support from two other men carrying the suitcase.

‘As the investigation progressed, officers were able to identify the individuals involved and confirmed that one of them was a man on the UK’s Most Wanted list for drug trafficking-related offenses for whom an International Arrest Warrant was issued at the end of last year.’

Spanish police have confirmed that Dutton will now face extradition to the UK, but it is likely he will also be charged locally for crimes allegedly committed.

Earlier today, a new appeal was launched to find and bring to justice a dozen of the UK’s most wanted men.

The release of the latest fugitive list marked the 20th anniversary of Operation Captura, a multi-agency campaign that captured 98 of the 111 fugitives made public.

All the men taking part in this year’s campaign are believed to have links to Spain, including areas such as Tenerife, Marbella, Alicante and Malaga.

In addition to Dutton, names such as Derek McGraw Ferguson, a 62-year-old Scot who is wanted in connection with the murder of Thomas Cameron in Glasgow in 2007, and the heavily tattooed Spencer Dillon Lamb, a 33-year-old wanted for drug supply and cultivation, also appeared in the film.

Derek McGraw Ferguson, 62, is wanted in connection with the murder of Thomas Cameron in Glasgow in 2007.

Philip Barry Foster, 50, ran a £13.6 million fake modeling agency scam targeting more than 6,000 victims

23-year-old Russian national Alexsandr Kuksov is accused of belonging to an organized crime group that laundered millions of pounds of criminal money.

Dean Eighteen, 48, is wanted for claiming false VAT refunds on behalf of two companies. He is believed to have left the UK in January 2019.

Philip Barry Foster, 50, wants to begin his eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence for fraud and money laundering.

He ran a fake modeling agency scam worth £13.6 million, targeting more than 6,000 victims.

Russian citizen Alexsandr Kuksov, 23, is accused of belonging to an organized crime group that laundered millions of pounds of criminal money between September and October 2022. He was added to the Most Wanted list in January 2026.

Liam Michael Murray, 34, is wanted on charges of supplying cocaine, cannabis and possession of proceeds of crime.

Francis David Parker, 40, is believed to be a proactive member of the Coggins organized crime group (OCG).

He is wanted for managing drug couriers and collecting money on behalf of the OCG.

Kevin Thomas Parle, 42, is wanted in connection with the murders of Liam Kelly in 2004 and Lucy Hargreaves in 2005.

Matthew Purves, 41, is wanted for his involvement in a conspiracy to supply kilos of cocaine across the UK. He is believed to have links to southern Spain as well as Corby and Peterborough.

John Rocks, 37, is accused of committing a sexual offense between 2012 and 2022.

Charlie Salisbury, 34, is wanted on suspicion of supplying cocaine and laundering the proceeds of crime.

Kevin Thomas Parle, 42, is wanted in connection with the murders of Liam Kelly in 2004 and Lucy Hargreaves in 2005.

John Rocks, 37, is accused of committing a sexual offense between 2012 and 2022

During the previous Operation Captura call, the public provided information within a few days.

British expats living in Spain and holidaymakers visiting the country are once again encouraged to check out the most wanted list.

Anyone with information is advised not to approach the suspect or tell the suspect or anyone else if they decide to come forward.

Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously in the UK on 0800 555 111 and in Spain on 900 926 111; This number will be answered by Crimestoppers in the UK using translation if necessary.

Last year, 56 criminals were extradited from Spain to the UK.