Two more bite the dust in Operation Captura

The crackdown on British criminals that are believed to be “on the run” on the Spanish Costa’s continues apace with two arrests in the first 48 hours of launch of Operation Captura. Crime fighting charity Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Squad (SOCA) confirm that the second arrest within 48 hours has been made in Alhaurin, Spain.

Dean Lawrence Rice, who was born in Exeter, Devon and who was convicted in his absence to life imprisonment for conspiracy to kidnap & false imprisonment was arrested on Wednesday by Spanish National Police.

Dave Cording, Director of Operations at Crimestoppers, said: “Two arrests in 48 hours is an incredible achievement. I am pleased that the launch earlier this week has encouraged the public to contact us with information to help track down Britain’s most wanted criminals.

“The second arrest shows the success of highlighting these individuals in the public eye. Even though RICE was publicised at an earlier batch under Operation Captura, it shows that the public continue to bring information forward.”

Another great result

Ken Gallagher, Head of Operations for Europe commented: “This is another great result for Captura, and one which is going to make criminals in Spain nervous, as it shows how they are still very much on the radar no matter how long they remain on the list.”

The ten new appeals, revealed in Alicante, include some of the UK’s most dangerous individuals, wanted for serious crimes including drugs trafficking, murder and child sex offences.

Second arrest in 48 hours

This arrest follows success earlier this week, when Everardus Wijtvliet from the Netherlands was arrested in Puerto de la Cruz on the Island of Tenerife by officers of the Spanish National Police’s Greco Team.

Related Reading: Criminals hiding on the costa’s beware as Operation Captura returns