Urgent appeal launched to track down suspected Brit drug trafficker in Marbella

The UK’s National Crime Agency has launched an urgent appeal to find another of their Most Wanted fugitives, who is believed to be hiding in Spain.

The appeal comes just over a a week after they appealed for the public’s help in tracking down 12 Most Wanted criminals, who the Agency understands have fled to Spain, or some of the Spanish islands including the Canaries.

The NCA is now trying to track down Alex Male, a major drugs trafficker, who is thought to be on the run in the Marbella area of Spain.

The 29 year old, from Weston-super-Mare, is believed to have used the encrypted communications platform EncroChat to distribute class A drugs across the South West of England.

He is also accused of money laundering and conspiring to acquire a firearm as part of his drug dealing activity.

Male now features in the NCA’s Most Wanted campaign – run in conjunction with independent charity Crimestoppers – which targets fugitives who have fled overseas to escape justice.

He was arrested by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit as part of Operation Venetic - the UK law enforcement response to the takedown of the EncroChat platform.

He failed to adhere to his bail restrictions and went on the run in December 2020.

At around 6ft tall, Male has a number of distinctive tattoos including a skull on his adams apple and a full sleeve on his left arm with a family tree.

‘Love’ is tattooed on his left hand along with a swallow and he has three stars tattooed on his left wrist.

He also has a full tribal sleeve tattoo on his right arm going onto his chest with an angel on his back and ‘live’ tattooed on his right hand.

The NCA’s officers in Spain, who are working closely with their law enforcement partners to locate Male, are asking people who may have seen him, or know where he is, to contact Crimestoppers anonymously with any information.

Steve Reynolds, the NCA’s regional manager in Spain, said:

“Alex Male is suspected of using EncroChat to orchestrate drug deals with crime groups across the South West of England.

“This type of criminality has a devastating impact on our communities, and he needs to face justice.

“The arrest last week of a fugitive within 24 hours of appearing on our Most Wanted list should serve as a warning to Male.

“Whether it’s from a tip off from a member of the public or use of our specialist capabilities, we will track him down and return him to the UK.”

The day after the Most Wanted campaign was launched in Spain last week, suspected drug trafficker Joshua Hendry was arrested by the Spanish National Police’s fugitives unit.

Spain is one of the most popular countries for British ex-pats and the two nations have a very strong law enforcement partnership.