Spanish authorities have apprehended a British fugitive shortly after his inclusion in a list of 12 most wanted men believed to be in Spain. Simon Dutton, 49, was captured in La Nucia, north of Benidorm, today. The arrest occurred in the early hours, but was made public by police later in the day following the National Crime Agency’s release of the Operation Captura wanted list.
Dutton, a convicted drug smuggler from Bolton, was previously detained in Greece in December 2015. He faced a prison re-call warrant. Notably, in September 2016, he received a 14-year sentence for orchestrating large-scale cocaine importations and money laundering activities.
Video footage released by the Civil Guard depicted heavily-armed officers encircling a villa before entering with a shout of “Police, police” in English. A Civil Guard spokesperson confirmed the arrest of a fugitive linked to organized crime, coinciding with the latest ‘Most Wanted’ campaign.
The investigation that led to Dutton’s apprehension commenced in November 2025 after a tip-off from a Benidorm courier firm regarding a suitcase containing 16 kilos of cannabis resin destined for the UK. The inquiry revealed individuals involved in the delivery using false documents and logistical support for transporting the suitcase.
Following the release of the updated fugitive list by the NCA, marking the 20th anniversary of Operation Captura, Dutton was captured, emphasizing the success of the multi-agency campaign in apprehending fugitives. The latest campaign targets individuals with ties to Spain, particularly regions like Tenerife, Marbella, Alicante, and Malaga.