Wanted man arrested at Benidorm hotel after four-year manhunt

A man accused of trafficking drugs and the subject of a four-year police hunt has been arrested at a hotel in Benidorm.

In 2020, following the takedown of the encrypted communications platform EncroChat, Greater Manchester Police published an appeal for information on Paul Brown's whereabouts, suspecting his involvement in a 'largescale drug conspiracy'.

In 2022, Brown became the target of a European Arrest Warrant - reports the Manchester Evening News.

A thorough international search operation was conducted involving Greater Manchester Police, the National Crime Agency, and Spanish National Police.

On April 22, as he was checking into a hotel in Benidorm, the law finally caught up with 50 year old Brown. He has since been charged.

Brown, who has no fixed address, stands accused of conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs. Efforts are now underway to extradite him back to the UK.

Detective Inspector Rick Castley of GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group said: "Brown stands accused of a significant drugs supply conspiracy, and our determination to locate him has not faltered over the years.

"I would like to thank our colleagues at the National Crime Agency and Spanish law enforcement for supporting us in our relentless pursuit to find Brown.

"Brown may have been outstanding for four years now, but we didn't forget about him. Working with specialist resources and our international partners, we will continue to make sure wanted suspects' live life always looking over their shoulder."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.