Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Spanish National Police have launched a high-profile joint operation to track down 12 of the UK’s most dangerous fugitives who are believed to be hiding among expat communities in Spain.
In an official press release, the agency noted that all the offenders are men and are wanted for crimes including brutal murders, large-scale drug trafficking, and international money laundering.
The list of fugitives marks the 20th anniversary of ‘Operation Captura’, a multi-agency campaign which has seen 98 fugitives apprehended out of 111 publicised. Authorities believe the individuals are utilising the “Sun, Sea, and Sand” lifestyle as a cover to evade justice, prompting a massive public appeal across both nations.
The new campaign targets a gallery of suspects wanted for a range of serious crimes. It is run in conjunction with independent charity Crimestoppers, the Spanish Ministry of Interior, Spanish law enforcement partners and UK policing.
A new appeal has launched to bring to justice 12 of the #UKMostWanted2026 believed to be hiding in Spain.
The offenders are wanted for crimes including murder, supplying class A drugs and fraud.
Anyone with info should contact @CrimestoppersUK anonymously.
MORE ➡️… pic.twitter.com/0fr7zmrYlN
— National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK) May 14, 2026
UK, Spain Partner Against Crime
The latest initiative builds on two decades of collaboration between British and Spanish law enforcement, which has already seen scores of high-profile criminals returned to the UK to face trial. National Crime Agency Director General of Operations, Rob Jones, emphasised the importance of this ongoing alliance, stating that Spain is not a safe haven for those attempting to escape the reach of the law.
“These fugitives have gone to great lengths to hide, but we have a long memory and even longer reach,” Jones remarked during the campaign launch in Madrid, noting that the NCA works tirelessly with international partners to ensure there is no hiding place for those who cause harm to UK communities.
He added, Spain is not a safe haven for fugitives. “This partnership [Spain and the UK] has shown time and again that if you run, we will not stop looking. We will find you, and we will bring you back to face justice.”
Jones noted that all the men featured in the campaign are believed to have links to Spain, including areas such as Tenerife, Marbella, Alicante, and Malaga.
The Fugitives: From Murderers to Drug Barons
The “Most Wanted” list features a diverse array of individuals, each linked to violent or sophisticated criminal networks. Among those highlighted is a suspect wanted in connection with a fatal stabbing in London, as well as several high-level “drug barons” accused of orchestrating the shipment of multi-million-pound hauls of cocaine and heroin into the UK.
Law enforcement officials noted that many of these fugitives often lead double lives in Spain, integrating into local neighbourhoods while continuing to manage their illicit enterprises from abroad.
Spanish police representatives added that their presence poses a significant threat not only to the UK but also to the safety and security of Spanish citizens.
Among the ‘Most Wanted’ on the list is Simon Dutton, 49, who is wanted for a recall to prison. He was sentenced for organising large-scale importations of cocaine and money laundering, with one interception being valued at £1.5 million. Meanwhile, Dean Eighteen, 48, is wanted for submitting false VAT repayment claims on behalf of two companies, of which he is the sole director. Eighteen is a white male and is believed to have left the UK in January 2019. Derek McGraw Ferguson, 62, is wanted in connection with the murder of Thomas Cameron, which took place in Glasgow in 2007.
Public Cooperation: The Key to Justice
A central component of the campaign is the involvement of Crimestoppers, the independent charity that allows the public to provide anonymous tips. Lord Ashcroft, the founder and chair of Crimestoppers, urged anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward. “We know that these fugitives are often recognised by people living in their communities,” Ashcroft said, highlighting that over the years, public information has been the critical factor in dozens of successful arrests. The charity offers a guarantee of 100% anonymity, ensuring that witnesses can assist the police without fear of retribution.
Social Media Campaigns Deployed
As the search intensifies, digital billboards and social media campaigns are being deployed across popular tourist destinations and expat hubs in Spain to keep the faces of the fugitives in the public eye.
Francisco Javier Marín Lizarraga, Director of CITCO, from the Spanish Ministry of Interior, said: “Pursuing a fugitive is a way of recognising the victims. It is an act of justice for the victims, because it means empathising with their loss and suffering. Every open case keeps that harm alive. That is why persistence in the search is, in itself, a form of recognition.”
The NCA has warned that as technology and international cooperation improve, the world is becoming “smaller” for those on the run. While the Costa del Sol has historically been a focal point for British fugitives, the agency stressed that its investigative teams are tracking leads across all of Europe and beyond. The message from both Madrid and London is clear: the hunt will continue until every individual on the list is brought before a court of law.
