One of the UK’s most wanted men has been arrested by police while riding an e-bike in Marbella.
Dean Garforth, 29, was arrested by plain-clothed officers in Nueva Andalucia on Monday afternoon as part of a planned operation.
After realising police were about to arrest him, Garforth, who was wearing sports clothes, sunglasses and a cap, rode his bike into the officers before resisting arrest.
Garforth was part of a Most Wanted campaign launched by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Crimestoppers in January, which featured 12 fugitives all believed to have been in Spain.
Dean Garforth
National Crime Agency
He is wanted by Cheshire Police for his alleged involvement in well-established organised Crime Group, supplying significant quantities of cocaine and cannabis, as well as being involved in trading firearms and ammunition between March 2020 and July 2020, the NCA said.
The 29-year-old was located and arrested following an operation by the NCA, Spanish police and Cheshire Police.
Following his arrest, Garforth is now the sixth fugitive to have been capture from January’s Most Wanted list.
He is currently in custody awaiting extradition proceedings to begin.
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’s Major Crime Directorate added: “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.
“I’m delighted that another fugitive has been caught and I appeal to anyone else who has information about an individual who remains on our list to tell our charity what they know completely anonymously. Call 0800 555 111 or fill in our anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org.
“You’ll be doing the right thing and will be helping to keep communities safe.