One of the UK’s most-wanted fugitives has been arrested while riding an e-bike in Spain.
Dean Garforth, 29, was wanted on allegations he was a drugs and firearms supplier.
He was riding an e-bike in Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, when he was arrested on Monday, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.
When he realised plain-clothed officers were closing in, the wanted man rode the bike into an officer and resisted arrest, the agency said.
It came after the NCA and Crimestoppers launched a public appeal in January for 12 of the UK’s most wanted fugitives who were believed to be hiding in Spain.
Garforth was wanted for alleged involvement in an organised crime group (OCG) supplying cocaine and cannabis as well as being involved in trading firearms and ammunition.
He was said to have used the now-defunct encrypted messaging platform EncroChat to facilitate his alleged offences in and around the North West of England. It was also alleged his OCG adulterated the drugs before moving them on.
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The suspect is in custody awaiting the beginning of extradition proceedings.
He was the sixth fugitive from the list to be arrested since the campaign was launched in January.
Steve Reynolds, NCA regional manager in Spain, said: “Dean Garforth’s arrest was made possible after some great work by the Spanish National Police, supported by the NCA’s international liaison officers and Cheshire Police.
“Garforth is the sixth fugitive to be arrested from the Most Wanted list. We won’t stop until the remainder are caught.”
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Murray, from Cheshire Constabulary, said: “This latest arrest shows how by working together, there are no borders and no safe places to hide.
“We will continue to work together to keep bringing those suspected of committing serious and organised crime before the courts.”
