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21 Apr, 2015 14:02

​Britain’s ‘most wanted’ arrested in Spain over drug trafficking, suspicion of murder

​Britain’s ‘most wanted’ arrested in Spain over drug trafficking, suspicion of murder

One of the UK's most wanted fugitives, captured at his luxury villa in Spain last week, is now being questioned in Spain over the murder of a fellow Briton, alongside drug charges.

Paul Monk, 54, from Romford, was wanted by the National Crime Agency over his suspected involvement in massive drug trafficking operations in London and Essex. He is wanted on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.

Monk was captured at his luxury villa in Alicante as part of Operation Captura, an international multi-agency campaign targeting suspects who have fled the UK.

Spain's Guardia Civil issued video footage showing armed officers storming into Monk’s villa, where they found an imitation firearm with silencer and €125,000 (£90,000).

READ MORE: Cocaine Cruise: Irish navy storms yacht, seizes 1 ton of blow worth £100 m

Monk's extradition to the UK for the alleged drug trafficking offences has now been put on hold while Spanish police investigate his connection with the murder of 25-year-old Francis Brennan from Liverpool. Brennan was kidnapped by three men disguised as police officers in Alicante in January 2014 and his body was found in a plastic bag in Orihuela, Spain, three months later.

The Guardia Civil said Monk was an associate of Paul Scott, who they believe organized Brennan's kidnap and murder.

READ MORE: ‘Britain awash with dirty money,’ says anti-corruption think tank

Scott, 32, from Liverpool, was captured in December 2014 when he entered the UK. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine and was sentenced to 14 years in January. He is now facing extradition proceedings to Spain in July for questioning over Brennan's murder.

A total of 68 out of 86 fugitives on Operation Captura’s list have now been caught.

Another suspect on the list, Jayson McDonald, 37, from Acton, West London, was also captured – found hiding under a bed in Amsterdam. He is wanted on suspicion of conspiracies to import and supply heroin and cocaine.

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