AN alleged drugs and firearms supplier and one of the UK and Cheshire’s most wanted men has been arrested in Spain.

Dean Garforth was riding an e-bike on a street in Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, when he was arrested on Monday afternoon in a pre-planned law enforcement operation.

When the 29-year-old realised plain-clothed officers were closing in, Garforth, who was wearing sports clothes, sunglasses and a cap, rode the bike into an officer and resisted arrest.

He was located and arrested after an operation by the National Crime Agency, Spanish National Police and Cheshire Police.

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A public appeal to help trace Garforth was made in January this year when the NCA and Crimestoppers launched a new ‘most wanted’ campaign, featuring 12 fugitives who were believed to be hiding in Spain.

He is wanted by Cheshire Police for alleged involvement in a well-established organised crime group (OCG), supplying significant quantities of cocaine and cannabis, and being involved in trading firearms and ammunition between March 2020 and July 2020.

It is alleged he used the now defunct encrypted comms platform EncroChat to facilitate these offences in and around the north west of England, and that his OCG also adulterated the drugs before moving them on.

Garforth, whose last known address was South Hill Road in Dingle, Liverpool, is the sixth fugitive from the list to be arrested since the most wanted campaign was launched in January.

He is in custody awaiting the beginning of extradition proceedings.

Steve Reynolds, NCA regional manager in Spain, said: “Dean Garforth’s arrest was made possible after some great work by the Spanish National Police, supported by the NCA’s international liaison officers and Cheshire Police.

“Garforth is the sixth fugitive to be arrested from the most wanted list. We will not stop until the remainder are caught.”

DCI Ian Murray, from Cheshire Police’s Major Crime Directorate, added: “This latest arrest shows how by working together, there are no borders and no safe places to hide.

“We will continue to work together to keep bringing those suspected of committing serious and organised crime before the courts.”

Lord Ashcroft, founder and chair of the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Most wanted has proven to be incredibly successful, as it publicises those individuals who are on the run and encourages the public to contact us anonymously if they know of their whereabouts.

“I am delighted that another fugitive has been caught, and I appeal to anyone else who has information about an individual who remains on our list to tell our charity what they know completely anonymously.

“Call 0800 555 111 or fill in our anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org. You will be doing the right thing and will be helping to keep communities safe.”