‘Most Wanted’ fugitive arrested in Marbella in ‘pre-planned operation’
An alleged drugs and firearms supplier and one of the UK’s most wanted men has been arrested in Marbella in a “pre-planned law enforcement operation” involving the National Crime Agency (NCA), Cheshire Constabulary and Spanish National Police.
Dean Garforth, 29, was wanted by Cheshire Constabulary for alleged involvement in a well-established organised crime croup (OCG), supplying significant quantities of cocaine and cannabis, and being involved in trading firearms and ammunition between March 2020 and July 2020.
It is alleged he used the now defunct encrypted comms platform EncroChat to facilitate these offences in and around the North West of England and that his OCG also adulterated the drugs before moving them on.
The NCA said Garforth was riding an e-bike on a street in Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, when he was arrested on Monday afternoon in a pre-planned law enforcement operation.
“When he realised plain-clothed officers were closing in, Garforth, who was wearing sports clothes, sunglasses and a cap, rode the bike into an officer and resisted arrest,” said the NCA.
A public appeal to help trace Garforth was made in January this year when the NCA and Crimestoppers launched a new Most Wanted campaign featuring 12 fugitives who were believed to be hiding in Spain.
Garforth, whose last known address was South Hill Road, Dingle, Liverpool, is the sixth fugitive from the list to be arrested since the Most Wanted campaign was launched in January.
The NCA said he is in custody awaiting the beginning of extradition proceedings.
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 Constabulary.
“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 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, sadded: “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.”