One of UK’s ‘most wanted’ men Simon Dutton, 49, arrested near Benidorm for drug trafficking

ONE of Britain’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested by Spanish cops near Benidorm after being on the run for months. Simon Dutton, 49, was cuffed following a stunning police raid – and has now been charged been drug trafficking and document forgery. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Simon Dutton was one of Britain’s most wanted fugitives Credit: PA Simon Dutton was arrested in Spain Credit: Solarpix The high-stakes arrest is understood to have happened in La Nucia in the early hours of Thursday morning. Local cops only went public with it later in the day after the National Crime Agency unveiled the latest Operation Captura wanted list in Alicante. Before his arrest on Thursday, he had been wanted for a re-call to prison. The Costa Blanca arrest was filmed in dramatic footage – with Dutton seen swarmed by heavily armed cops in a white villa. Police raided the property in dramatic footage Credit: Solarpix Police were pictured in the home following the raid Credit: Solarpix Storming the property, they shouted in English: “Police, police.” They raided the home with sniffer dogs and were pictured counting out large wads of cash in the aftermath. The arrest cane just hours after the launch of a new campaign aiming to hunt down 12 fugitives believed to be hiding on the Costas. Spanish police said: “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. Most read in The Sun Cops found wads of cash in the property Credit: Solarpix Shocking footage showed the moment of his arrest Credit: Solarpix “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.” They added: “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.” The Manchester fugitive is set to face a national court after being charged with drug trafficking and document forgery. He was cuffed alongside two other suspects, while a fourth woman was arrested in Costa Blanca. Police seized various narcotics, about £3,000 in cash, false documents and two cars. Dutton, who has the name “Rachel” tattooed on his left arm, was sentenced to 14 years in prison in September 2016 for organising large-scale importations of cocaine. One police operation linked to him uncovered 10.5kg of drugs with a street value of £1.5million.