Alex Male, 29, was arrested at Lisbon airport after arriving from Turkey, where he was barred from entering. He allegedly distributed Class A drugs across the south-west of England, buying and selling using an encrypted EncroChat communications network. Male is also accused of money laundering and conspiracy to buy a weapon in the context of drug trafficking, which included the supply of cocaine and ketamine. He fled to the Marbella region of Spain in January after being arrested by the Southwest Regional Organized Crime Unit and added to the National Crime Service’s most wanted list. It will now be published in the United Kingdom. Phil Robinson, an NCA international liaison officer, said: “The man naively believed he could travel across international borders using forged documents and go unnoticed by law enforcement. “But 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 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 has been caught.” Detective Inspector Adrian Hawkins of the Organized Crime Unit said his arrest marked the end of a “long period of investigation.” “Male will now return to the UK criminal justice system to deal with the charges against him,” he said. “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.” Anyone with information on one of the most wanted is invited to call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
