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A British man wanted by the United Kingdom over drug trafficking and money laundering offences has been arrested in Benidorm. The 32-year-old was detained by the Policía Nacional after officers traced him to the city in Alicante, where he was being sought on a European arrest warrant.

 

Police say the man faces a possible life sentence in the UK. According to the investigation, he had been part of a criminal network based in Blackburn between 2022 and 2024, working within the group to help oversee the supply of drugs, mainly cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.

 

He was also allegedly involved in laundering the profits, using both his own bank accounts and those of other people linked to the case. Authorities say the arrest warrant was issued after he left the UK when he learned that one of his associates had been detained and feared he was also under investigation.

 

From that point, British authorities issued the European arrest warrant and surrender order. Spanish police then received information that the fugitive might be in Benidorm and began a search operation.

 

Officers eventually located him and arrested him in the city under the court order issued by the UK. He has since been placed at the disposal of the Central Court of Instruction of the National Court, which is responsible for this type of case.

 

The arrest brings an end to a search that had crossed borders and relied on cooperation between authorities. It also highlights how people wanted for serious offences in other countries can still be tracked down once they are believed to have moved to Spain.

 

For now, the case remains in the hands of the court, with the 32-year-old facing extradition proceedings and the possibility life imprisonment, if convicted in the UK.

 

 

Image: Policía Nacional