Operation Captura 6 launched in Spain

Update 18 July 2011:

Antony Fraser, grandson of Mad Frankie Fraser, was arrested today in Gibralter. Fraser is wanted for drugs supply offences by the Middle Market Drugs Partnership, a joint initiative between SOCA and the Metropolitan Police.  He is the subject of a European Arrest Warrant and the extradition process to return him to the UK will now begin.

Update 11th March 2011:

A third man has been arrested under Operation Captura in less than a month. Andrew Spooner, 41, was arrested by SOCA officers at 6.30pm yesterday (10 March) in Salford Greater Manchester. Spooner, featured on the ‘most wanted’ list after failing to appear at Glasgow High Court for drugs (MDMA) offences on the 10th September 2001. Since the campaign launched in October 2006, there have now been 60 appeals; 41 of whom have been arrested.

Update 21st Febuary 2011:

Just a few hours after the launch, Everadus Wijtvliet was arrested in Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife. Wijtvliet, a Dutch national wanted for his suspected involvement in the importation of class A drugs to the UK, was arrested at 18.30 local time by officers of the Spanish National Police (SNP).

The SNP subsequently arrested another Operation Captura subject, Dean Rice, on Wednesday 23rd of February. Rice, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiracy to kidnap and false imprisonment, was arrested in Alhaurin on the Costa del Sol.

21st February 2011

SOCA and the UK crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers are once again targeting Britain's Most Wanted who may be on the run in Spain, with the launch of Operation Captura VI.

The ten new appeals, which include some of the UK's most dangerous individuals, were revealed in Alicante, an area with a large British expat community. SOCA and Crimestoppers are asking all British residents and visitors in Spain to be aware of these fugitives, and to contact Crimestoppers anonymously if they have any information that may help identify their locations.

Since Operation Captura was launched in October 2006 there have been 50 appeals; 38 of which have resulted in arrests. Many of these are now serving lengthy prison sentences for their crimes which include drug trafficking, sex crimes and murder.

Ken Gallagher, Head of European Operations for SOCA, said: “Operation Captura is helping make the ex-pat community in Spain an uncomfortable place for fugitives. Having the public's attention focussed on these individuals goes a long way to making it harder for them to hide and should act as a warning that Spain is no safe haven for British criminals."

Dave Cording, Director of Operations at Crimestoppers, said: “The public is one of the greatest weapons in the fight against crime, and once again we are asking the public to help track down most wanted individuals who are sought in connection with some violent, sexual and highly organised crimes. We’ve continually had an overwhelming response to this campaign, resulting in over 500 pieces of useful information on the fugitives sought. You can view all the appeals on the most wanted section of Crimestoppers’ website and if you know anything about the individuals please contact Crimestoppers. No one will ever know you who you are and you will not go to court. Contact us on 0800 555 111 or through our website crimestoppers-uk.org”

One of the targets, Everadus Wijtvliet, has been arrested in Puerto de la cruz, Tenerife. He was wanted by HMRC for supplying 100kg heroin and 6kg cocaine, and was apprehended by the Spanish National Police's Greco team on the evening of 21/02/2011.

Calls to the Spanish 900 555 111 telephone number are answered in the UK by Crimestoppers’ call agents. Those in the UK should call 0800 555 111. You can also pass on information via the online Giving Information form on Crimestoppers’ website www.crimestoppers-uk.org


The latest list of 10 wanted individuals under Operation Captura was launched in February. The remaining four individuals are:

1. Derek McGraw FERGUSON b10/01/1964
Wanted for Murder by Strathclyde Police.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. William Thomas Robert PATERSON b10/09/1979
Wanted for Murder by Strathclyde Police.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Darren Kevin O'FLAHERTY b06/08/1974
Wanted for Robbery and Kidnap by West Yorkshire Police.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Eriberto JIMENEZ MELO b16/01/1978
Wanted by SOCA to serve 25 years for Drugs supply. (Cocaine)