Alex Male, 29, of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, reportedly was a regional A-class drug dealer across the South West of England, using an encrypted EncroChat communications network. He was arrested at Lisbon airport after arriving on a flight from Turkey where he was denied entry, according to the National Crime Agency. Male, who was added to the NCA Most Wanted list in January, is charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine, money laundering and conspiracy to obtain a firearm as part of his alleged 2020 drug and drug trafficking business. He was on the run after failing to comply with bail restrictions imposed after his arrest and was previously thought to be in the Marbella region of Spain before moving to Portugal. NCA International Liaison Officer Phil Robinson said: “The man naively believed he could travel across international borders using forged documents and go unnoticed by law enforcement. However, he underestimated the vigilance and know-how of the Turkish border police, which allowed the Portuguese authorities to act. “Any arrest of a fugitive is a fantastic result, especially since Male was just recently added to the list of most wanted. “He is wanted in connection with dangerous crimes, which have a devastating impact on communities, so I am glad he was arrested. “We continue to work with our international partners to close the net around the fugitives, wherever they are.” Male, who was initially detained at Lisbon airport on Saturday, remains in custody and will face extradition proceedings. DI Adrian Hawkins of the South West Regional Organized Crime Unit said: “The man will now be returned to the UK criminal justice system to deal with the charges against him. “This is an example of international law enforcement working together to ensure that justice can be done and that there is no safe place to hide.” The NCA is the UK’s main agency for serious and organized crime.
