Most Wanted fugitive, David Anthony Stuart, arrested in Barcelona

15 September 2010

Acting on information provided by SOCA, Spanish Police in Barcelona arrested Operation Captura subject David Anthony Stuart on Tuesday (14 September 2010).

David Anthony Stuart, from Accrington, was originally arrested in July 2004 for possession of 20,000 ecstasy tablets. He failed to attend his trial at Preston Crown Court in June 2005 and was subsequently charged with two offences of conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug, namely MDMA (ecstasy) and possession with intent to supply a Class A controlled drug.

Stuart is the 36th person to be arrested from 50 appeals under Operation Captura.

Trevor Pearce, Director General of SOCA commented: “This is another excellent result for our partnership with Spain. It would seem that plenty of British fugitives and criminals still haven’t worked out that basing themselves in Spain is not a particularly smart move. We won’t stop coming after them – and the Spanish Police are more than happy to arrest them and get them sent back to the UK.”

Operation Captura targets serious criminals wanted by UK law enforcement agencies for crimes committed in the UK who may be living in Spain. Crimestoppers and SOCA work closely with British Embassy Madrid, British and Spanish law enforcement agencies. The campaign highlights appeals for information on criminals who have European arrest warrants issued against them for crimes such as drug trafficking, murder and currency counterfeiting.

For further information on Crimestoppers most wanted appeals in Spain or the Netherlands, visit the crime stoppers website www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Reports to Crimestoppers may be made anonymously either online or via the 24/7 telephone numbers 0800 555 111 form the UK or the Spanish freephone number 900 555 111