North Somerset man labelled one of UK's "most wanted", in custody
Alex Male from Weston Super Mare was arrested in Morocco after four years on the run
A man from North Somerset, labelled one of the UK's most wanted men, has been brought back to the country after being arrested in Morocco.
Alex Male (32) from Weston Super Mare was detained in the North African country on 21st January accused of entering illegally using false documentation. He has been in custody in Morocco since his arrest but arrived back in the UK on Wednesday, escorted by officers from the National Crime Agency's (NCA) Joint International Crime Centre. (JICC).
Male was originally arrested in June 2020 accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine, money laundering and conspiracy to acquire a firearm, but then went on the run.
He was added to the NCA's most wanted list in January 2022 and appeared at Exeter Crown Court yesterday (7th August).
He will appear again at the same court on 5th September.
David Hucker, NCA International Regional Head of Operations. said: “The arrest of Alex Male shows that no matter how fugitives try to evade UK law enforcement, we will always catch up with them.
“I’d like to thank our DGSN (Moroccan General Directorate for National Security) partners in Morocco for their tenacious work in locating and arresting Male.
"Fugitives who think they can go on the run and stay under the radar should never stop looking over their shoulders, as we and our international partners will always be looking for them”.
Detective Superintendent Tina Robinson, head of the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit said: "We’re glad to see Alex Male back in the UK where he can finally face the serious charges against him.
"He has tried to avoid this since going on the run four years ago, but his attempts have ultimately proved unsuccessful thanks to work with our partners both in the UK and internationally.”