Another British fugitive captured in Spain

By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 16 Nov 2015 • 15:24

THE UK National Crime Agency (NCA) announced on November 16 that an Operation Capture fugitive has been arrested in Spain on suspicion of being a member of an international drug trafficking organisation.

Michael Roden, aged 26, from Redditch, was captured on November 4 at an address in the town of Alomartes, Andalucia, but details could not be released until today to protect an ongoing Guardia Civil investigation being carried out in collaboration with the National Crime Agency.

Roden was one of seven people apprehended for allegedly belonging to a criminal organisation involved in drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, money laundering and forgery.

He is currently detained along with three men and three women who are Chilean, Romanian, Georgian and Spanish nationals.

Six house searches resulted in the seizure of approximately 30 kilos of cannabis, drug packaging material, several firearms, high-value vehicles, 85,000 Euros and £600.

A European Arrest Warrant for Roden, who featured on the Operation Captura fugitive list, was also executed as he is wanted by West Midlands Police in connection with the importation of 70 kilos of cannabis in 2013. An extradition hearing is expected to take place in Madrid this week.

Dave Allen, Head of the International Crime Bureau at the NCA, said “The arrest of Michael Roden marks yet another success for Operation Captura and highlights the effectiveness of the campaign in flushing out fugitives.

“We’ve caught 73 out of 86 fugitives on the Captura list and will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to find the remaining 13.”

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said “The success of Operation Captura has been quite incredible and I commend all those at Crimestoppers, the NCA and the Spanish authorities for their tireless work in locating these wanted individuals.

“We are now down to the unlucky 13 who still remain at large, and I would ask anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 900 555 111 from Spain or 0800 555 111 from the UK, so we can bring them to justice.”