{"id":23326,"date":"2026-05-14T13:09:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T13:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/23326\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T13:09:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T13:09:32","slug":"uk-and-spain-launch-joint-manhunt-for-its-12-most-wanted-criminals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/23326\/","title":{"rendered":"UK and Spain launch joint manhunt for its 12 \u2018most wanted\u2019 criminals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"\">They are the UK\u2019s 12 &#8220;most wanted&#8221; criminals, and British authorities suspect that some of them may be hiding in Spain.<\/p>\n<p style=\"\">They are potentially  &#8230; concealed within the large number of British tourists and vast community of over 300,000 British citizens residing in the country, particularly concentrated in Malaga, the Balearic Islands and the Levantine coast, especially in Alicante.<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">The UK authorities &#8211; the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Crimestoppers &#8211; have asked the Spanish Ministry of the Interior for help and launched their \u2018Most Wanted 2026\u2019 campaign this Thursday in Alicante to try to track down their highly sought-after criminals and seek the cooperation of both British nationals living in or visiting Spain and Spanish citizens. The National Police telephone number is 091, the Guardia Civil\u2019s is 062, and the number for reporting information regarding this particular campaign is: 900 926 111.<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">The 20th anniversary of this now historic list, features a wide variety of profiles, although they all share one thing in common: they are fugitives accused or convicted of particularly serious crimes, ranging from drug trafficking and money laundering to murder and sexual offences.<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Investigations conducted by the British authorities point to possible links between several of these fugitives and towns such as Marbella, Malaga, Alicante and Tenerife.<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">During the launch of the campaign, the director of the centre for intelligence against terrorism and organised crime (CITCO), Javier Mar\u00edn, emphasised the importance of maintaining the search for fugitives of this kind. \u201cPursuing a fugitive is a way of acknowledging the victims; it is an act of justice because it means empathising with their loss or suffering,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery open case keeps the hurt alive, which is why persistence in the search is a form of recognition,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Since 2019, Spanish law enforcement agencies have arrested 254 British fugitives in Spain who were the subject of international arrest warrants. Of these, 86 were arrested in the province of M\u00e1laga and a further 54 in Alicante, two of the main locations chosen by foreign criminals to hide.<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">The Operation Capture campaigns began two decades ago, spearheaded by the UK\u2019s NCA and Crimestoppers. Since then, collaboration between police, security agencies and members of the public has led to the arrest of 98 of the 111 fugitives publicly named in these campaigns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">The NCA\u2019s Director General of Operations, Rob Jones, also sent a direct message to the fugitives: \u201cSpain is not a safe haven for fugitives, and this collaboration has proven time and again that if you run, we will not stop searching. We will find you and bring you back to face justice.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">These are their faces and descriptions:<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Dutton-custody-image-kNSB-U202274511585qDD-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Simon Dutton: cocaine and money laundering<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Simon Dutton, aged 49, is accused of organising large-scale cocaine imports and money laundering operations. One of the seized shipments was worth \u00a31.5 million. He has the name \u2018Rachel\u2019 tattooed on his left arm and has scars on his chin, left hand and right leg.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Eighteen-passport-image-kNSB-U202274511585LFC-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Dean Eighteen: million-pound VAT fraud<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Dean Eighteen, aged 48, is wanted for allegedly submitting fraudulent VAT refund claims through two companies of which he was the sole director. The authorities believe he left the UK in January 2019.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ferguson-custody-image-kNSB-U2022745115859dD-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Derek McGraw Ferguson: wanted for murder since 2007<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Derek McGraw Ferguson, aged 62, is wanted for his alleged involvement in the murder of Thomas Cameron, committed in Glasgow in 2007. Scottish Police suspect he may be living under a false identity and he remains one of the country\u2019s most wanted fugitives.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Foster-custody-image-kNSB-U202274511585iT-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Philip Barry Foster: false promises of success as a model<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Philip Barry Foster, aged 50, is serving an eight-and-a-half-year prison sentence for fraud and money laundering. According to the investigation, he lured victims by promising them professional modelling jobs after they had handed over money and photographs.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Kuksov-custody-image-kNSB-U202274511585xNG-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Alexsandr Kuksov: Millions of pounds laundered<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Alexsandr Kuksov, a 23-year-old Russian national, is accused of being part of a criminal organisation involved in laundering millions of pounds from illegal activities between September and October 2022. He is of a stocky build and has short brown hair.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Lamb-custody-image-kNSB-U202274511585RTC-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Spencer Dillon Lamb: drugs and a distinctive appearance<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Spencer Dillon Lamb, aged 33, is wanted for offences relating to the supply and cultivation of drugs. He has numerous tattoos on his head, neck, arms and abdomen, as well as a scar under his left eye.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Murray-custody-image-kNSB-U202274511585wfD-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Liam Michael Murray: cocaine, cannabis and criminal proceeds<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Liam Michael Murray, aged 34, is accused of involvement in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, as well as possession of money derived from criminal activities. He is of medium build and has a north-east England accent.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Parker-custody-image-2023-kNSB-U202274511585OXD-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Francis David Parker: alleged member of an organised crime group<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Francis David Parker, aged 40, is identified by the British authorities as an active member of the Coggins organised crime group. He is accused of coordinating drug shipments and collecting money for the organisation.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Kevin-Thomas-Parle-custody-image-kNSB-U202274511585aED-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Kevin Thomas Parle: double murder and links to Spain<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Kevin Thomas Parle, aged 45, is wanted in connection with the murders of Liam Kelly in 2004 and Lucy Hargreaves in 2005. He has red hair and the authorities believe he has links to southern Spain.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Matthew-Purves-custody-image-kNSB-U202274511585fvC-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Matthew Purves: large-scale cocaine trafficking<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Matthew Purves, aged 41, is accused of participating in a conspiracy to distribute several kilograms of cocaine across the UK. He is 1.83 metres tall, has reddish-brown hair and possible connections to southern Spain.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/John-Rocks-custody-image-kNSB-U202274511585wpH-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">John Rocks: charged with sexual offences<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">John Rocks, aged 37, is charged with committing various sexual offences between 2012 and 2022. He is described as a white man, slim build, with light hair.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Salisbury-custody-image-kNSB-U202274511585q0H-624x385@Diario Sur.jpg\" class=\"v-a-img\" width=\"680\" height=\"478\" alt=\"\" data-voc-vtm-id=\"in-text-traffic\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Imagen.<\/p>\n<p>(NCA)<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Charlie Salisbury: EncroChat and drug trafficking<\/p>\n<p class=\"v-d-p\" style=\"\">Charlie Salisbury, aged 34, is wanted for alleged cocaine trafficking and money laundering. According to the authorities, he used the encrypted platform EncroChat. He has tattoos of a koi carp and a dragon on his right arm, as well as others on his right leg.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"They are the UK\u2019s 12 &#8220;most wanted&#8221; criminals, and British authorities suspect that some of them may be&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23327,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[3233,11337,12395,6722,12392,1114,3395,1194,3245,17,782,5106,12393,12394],"class_list":{"0":"post-23326","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-spain","8":"tag-are","9":"tag-asks","10":"tag-criminals","11":"tag-faces","12":"tag-find","13":"tag-for","14":"tag-help","15":"tag-its","16":"tag-most","17":"tag-spain","18":"tag-their","19":"tag-these","20":"tag-twelve","21":"tag-wanted"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23326","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23326"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23326\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23326"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23326"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23326"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}