A British man described as \u201cmost wanted\u201d for cocaine trafficking has been arrested in Spain following a joint operation between Spanish authorities and the UK\u2019s National Crime Agency. <\/p>\n
Simon Dutton, 49, was detained in La Nucia near Benidorm over allegations including cocaine importation, money laundering, false passport offences and breaching a Serious Crime Prevention Order, News.Az<\/a> reports, citing Sky News.<\/a><\/p>\n Police said he had been living under surveillance and was also wanted for a prison recall linked to earlier convictions for large-scale drug smuggling.<\/p>\n Dutton was previously sentenced for organising major cocaine import operations into the UK, including a case involving drugs worth around \u00a31.5 million in street value.<\/p>\n His arrest came shortly after the launch of an international \u201cmost wanted\u201d campaign naming fugitives believed to be hiding in Spain.<\/p>\n Spanish police said the investigation began in November after a tip-off from a parcel delivery service in Benidorm, where a suitcase containing 16 kilograms of drugs was discovered.<\/p>\n Further inquiries led investigators to identify additional suspects connected to the trafficking network, with coordinated searches carried out in Benidorm and La Nucia.<\/p>\n Authorities said drugs, cash, false documents and vehicles were seized during the operation, and Dutton<\/a> is now expected to appear in court for extradition proceedings.<\/p>\n