Spanish authorities have apprehended a British fugitive shortly after he was listed among the 12 “most wanted” individuals suspected to be residing in Spain. Simon Dutton, aged 49, was arrested in La Nucia, located just north of Benidorm. The arrest took place in the early hours of the morning but was only made public later in the day following the announcement by the National Crime Agency (NCA) of their latest Operation Captura list.
Dutton, a convicted drug trafficker from Bolton, had been previously detained in a bar in Greece in December 2015 for a prison recall. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison in September 2016 for orchestrating large-scale cocaine importations and engaging in money laundering activities. Described by the NCA as having a tattoo of the name ‘Rachel’ on his left arm and bearing scars on his chin, left hand, and right leg, Dutton was captured in a dramatic operation by heavily-armed officers surrounding a villa in La Nucia.
A spokesperson for the Civil Guard in Alicante confirmed the arrest without naming Dutton directly, stating that it was part of a broader operation against a drug trafficking and forgery network involving three other individuals. The investigation, initiated in November 2025 following a tip-off from a Benidorm courier firm, led to the discovery of a suitcase containing 16 kilos of cannabis resin intended for the UK.
Further inquiries revealed the involvement of individuals using false documentation to facilitate the delivery. The investigation eventually identified the wanted fugitive linked to drug trafficking on the UK Most Wanted list, leading to his apprehension. This development coincided with the NCA’s release of the updated list of fugitives, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Operation Captura, a successful initiative that has resulted in the capture of 98 out of 111 advertised fugitives.
All the fugitives highlighted in this year’s campaign are believed to have connections to Spain, particularly in areas such as Tenerife, Marbella, Alicante, and Malaga.
