Spanish police capture alleged cocaine trafficker Simon Dutton near Benidorm
Spanish police have arrested a British fugitive on the same day that he was named in a list of 12 "most wanted" men believed to be hiding in Spain.
Simon Dutton, 49, was held in La Nucia just north of Benidorm today. The arrest is understood to have happened in the early hours of this morning, although cops only went public with it late tonight after the National Crime Agency (NCA) unveiled the latest Operation Captura wanted list.
Dutton, from Bolton, had been wanted by Greater Manchester Police in connection with organising large importations of cocaine and money laundering, with one interception being valued at £1.5 million, the agency said. He was also wanted over alleged false passport offences and breaching a Serious Crime Prevention Order.
Dutton, who the NCA said has the name ‘Rachel’ tattooed on his left arm as well as "scars on his chin, left hand and right leg", was arrested in Spain as part of an investigation into alleged drug trafficking and document forgery. Three other people were arrested.
The Civil Guard released footage showing heavily-armed officers surrounding a whitewashed villa before forcing entry as they shouted in English: "Police, police."
A spokesman for the Civil Guard, which didn’t officially name Dutton, said tonight: “The Civil Guard in Alicante has arrested one of the fugitives included in the UK-led international search operation against offenders linked to organised crime, coinciding with the presentation of the latest ‘Most Wanted’ campaign.
“The arrest has been carried out within the framework of an operation conducted in Benidorm and La Nucia against a network linked to drug trafficking and forgery, in which three other people have been arrested.
“The investigation began in November 2025 following a tip-off from the manager of a Benidorm courier firm where a suitcase containing 16 kilos of cannabis resin had been located which was due to be sent to the UK.
“Initial inquiries led to the identification of a woman who organised the delivery using false documentation.
“Investigators discovered she went to the establishment with another person and had logistical support from another two men who transported the suitcase.
“As the investigation advanced officers managed to identify those involved and confirm one was a person on the UK Most Wanted list for crimes relating to drug trafficking who an International Arrest Warrant had been issued for at the end of last year.”
It came following the NCA’s publication of the latest list of fugitives - including Dutton - marking the 20th anniversary of Operation Captura - a multi-agency campaign which has seen 98 fugitives apprehended out of 111 publicised.
All men featured in this year’s campaign are believed to have links to Spain including areas such as Tenerife, Marbella, Alicante, and Malaga.
Deputy Editor
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