The NCA unveiled 12 wanted fugitives believed to be hiding in Spain as Operation Captura marks its 20th anniversary.
The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has unveiled a new list of 12 of Britain’s most wanted fugitives believed to be hiding in Spain as authorities mark the 20th anniversary of Operation Captura. The campaign was launched on May 14, 2026, in Alicante in partnership with Crimestoppers, the Spanish National Police, Guardia Civil, and UK law enforcement agencies.
Operation Captura was established in 2006 to track British fugitives who fled to Spain to evade arrest, prosecution, or prison sentences. Since its creation, authorities have arrested 98 of the 111 fugitives publicly featured in the campaign.
The latest appeal includes suspects wanted for murder, organised drug trafficking, money laundering, firearms offences, fraud, VAT scams, and sexual crimes.
- Among the most wanted fugitives is Kevin Thomas Parle, 45, who is sought in connection with the murders of Liam Kelly in Liverpool in 2004 and Lucy Hargreaves in 2005. Investigators believe Parle may be hiding in southern Spain.
- Authorities are also searching for Derek McGraw Ferguson, 62, who is wanted over the 2007 murder of Thomas Cameron in Glasgow. Police believe Ferguson may be living under a false identity and could have altered his appearance.
- Another fugitive featured in the campaign is Charlie Salisbury, 34, who is accused of cocaine trafficking and laundering criminal proceeds. Investigators allege Salisbury used the EncroChat encrypted communications platform and may have connections to Malaga, Marbella, and nearby areas.
- Russian national Alexsandr Kuksov, 23, is wanted for allegedly participating in an organised crime group accused of laundering millions of pounds in criminal cash through UK-based operations during 2022.
- The campaign also includes Francis David Parker, 40, who is wanted for alleged involvement with the Coggins organised crime group. Investigators accuse the network of participating in serious organised criminal activity linked to large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering operations.
- Authorities are additionally searching for Matthew Purves, 41, who is wanted in connection with the alleged trafficking of multiple kilograms of cocaine as part of organised drug distribution investigations.
- Other fugitives named in the operation include Philip Barry Foster, accused of fraud and money laundering linked to a fake modelling agency scam; Spencer Dillon Lamb, wanted over alleged drug supply and cannabis cultivation offences; Liam Michael Murray, accused of cocaine trafficking and criminal cash offences; and John Rocks, who is sought over alleged sexual offences said to have taken place between 2012 and 2022.
- The renewed campaign has also drawn attention to major financial fugitives linked to VAT fraud investigations, including British suspect Dean Eighteen, who has been associated with alleged carousel VAT fraud schemes targeting EU tax systems. European investigators have linked such fraud networks to organised crime groups laundering millions of euros through shell companies and fake cross-border trading operations.
- Shortly after the campaign launched, Spanish authorities arrested one of the featured fugitives, Simon Dutton, 49, in La Nucia near Benidorm. Dutton is accused of involvement in large-scale cocaine importation and money laundering operations.
NCA Director General of Operations Rob Jones warned that Spain “is not a safe haven for fugitives” and said many suspects continue engaging in criminal activity while attempting to blend into British expatriate communities across Spain. Authorities urged members of the public to submit anonymous tips through Crimestoppers as the international manhunt continues.
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Reports are sourced from official documents, law-enforcement updates, and credible investigations.
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