MARBELLA – Another UK most wanted criminal on the run in Spain has been captured and arrested. Alleged drugs and firearms supplier and one of the UK’s most wanted, Dean Garforth has been arrested in Marbella.
The 29-year-old was arrested in Nueva Andalucia, close to the famous Puerto Banus, Marbella after trying to escape from the police on an e-bike.
Resisting arrest
According to the UK´s National Crime Agency, Garforth was arrested on Monday afternoon in a pre-planned law enforcement operation. Seemingly several people approached him and asked for his identification. When he realised it was plain-clothed police officers, Garforth, who was wearing sunglasses, and a cap, rode the e-bike into the officers while attempting to resist arrest.
🚩Detenido en #Marbella uno de los #fugitivos incluidos en la lista de criminales más buscados del #ReinoUnido
Sobre Dean Garforth, de 30 años, pesaba una orden internacional de detención emitida por las autoridades británicas por delitos de tráfico de drogas y armas pic.twitter.com/qgfH7PuKsi
— Policía Nacional (@policia) October 25, 2022
As part of a joint campaign, a public appeal for citizen collaboration was launched. This initiative involved the National Crime Agency, Crimestoppers, and the Spanish police authorities. The campaign was launched in January of this year, with an initial list of 12 UK´s most wanted in Spain. Dean Garforth was on this list.
Dean Garforth – wanted by Cheshire Police
Garforth is wanted by Cheshire Police for alleged involvement in a well-established organised Crime Group (OCG), supplying significant quantities of cocaine and cannabis, and being involved in trading firearms and ammunition between March 2020 and July 2020. And, furthermore, that his criminal organisation also adulterated the drugs before moving them on.
However, he is now in custody awaiting the beginning of extradition proceedings.
National Crime Agency
NCA regional manager in Spain, Steve Reynolds 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”.
He continued, “Garforth is the sixth fugitive to be arrested from the Most Wanted list. We won’t stop until the remainder are caught.”
Nowhere to hide
Detective Chief Inspector Ian Murray from Cheshire Constabulary’s Major Crime Directorate 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.”
Lord Ashcroft, Founder and Chair of the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Most Wanted has proven to be incredibly successful as it publicises those individuals who are on the run and encourages the public to contact us anonymously if they know of their whereabouts.
CrimeStoppers campaign
In January, Crimestoppers launched the campaign of the 12 “most wanted” UK criminals presumed to live in Spain. Almost immediately, James Stevenson, and Joshua Hendry were arrested. Then, another criminal, Alex Male was added to the list. Therefore, this brought the number of wanted criminals back up to 11.
However, in May of this year, Male was arrested at Lisbon airport. Benjamin MacCann was arrested at a hotel in Bulgaria. Callum Halpin was arrested in Portugal, and later that same month, David Ungi was arrested at a gym in Malaga.
The wanted list
Still noted on the National Crime Agency website, and on the main image of this article as being wanted are the following;
- Jack Mayle
- Asim Naveed
- John James Jones
- Callum Michael Allan
- Mark Francis Roberts
- Nana Oppong
- Calvin Parris
To find out more about these men, and their photographic image, click here.
Also wanted
Added to the list later, but also still at large are the following;
- Richard Wakeling
- Derek McGraw Ferguson
- Fatah Benlaredj
- John Barton
You can find more information on these men along with their photographs here.
Confidential call
If you believe you know the whereabouts of any of these men, or have information, you can call from a UK number, 0800 555 111, or from a Spanish number, 900 926 111. The call is confidential and will be answered by CrimeStoppers in the UK (using translation if needed). You can also give information anonymously online here.
