Tracked down in Spain – fugitive wanted over UK drug plot faces extradition

A fugitive wanted by the National Crime Agency in connection with drug smuggling and distribution in the UK has been arrested in southern Spain.

Spanish national Jesus Benito Fernandez-Asta, 55, was detained by officers from the Spanish National Police, working on behalf of the NCA, at a residential address in the city of Almeria on Thursday 28 December. He will now appear in court as extradition proceedings begin.

Fernandez-Asta is wanted over the attempted importation of cannabis worth over £100,000 and class A and B drug dealing offences.

He is suspected of orchestrating a cannabis shipment in a lorry from Spain before flying over to the UK to take receipt at the other end.

However, the blocks of resin were found in the pallet locker of the HGV by Border Force officers carrying out checks on freight at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Coquelles in November 2020.

NCA investigators were able to link Fernandez-Asta to the importation and tracked him down to an address in Donald Hall Road, Brighton, where he was arrested in August 2021.

During a search of the property further quantities of cannabis and cocaine were discovered, suggesting his involvement in drug distribution. Financial records indicating payments to contacts in Spain were also found.

Fernandez-Asta was charged with conspiring to import class B drugs, being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs and money laundering.

The NCA and CPS will now work with the Spanish authorities to facilitate his extradition back to the UK.

He was bailed and was due to stand trial at Lewes Crown Court in July 2023 but failed to attend and was listed as wanted. A warrant for his arrest was issued.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Dean Wallbank said: “Fernandez-Asta stands accused of significant drug importation and distribution offences.

“I’m delighted he has been tracked down, and I’m grateful to our Spanish partners for their work in ensuring his arrest. The process of returning him to the UK to face the courts here is now underway.

“This case once again demonstrates that NCA has international reach, and no matter where fugitives try to hide we have the determination and ability to hunt them down and bring them back to face justice.”

29 December 2023

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Wolverhampton woman charged over pre-Christmas cocaine seizure

National Crime Agency officers have charged a 58-year-old woman from Wolverhampton with drug smuggling offences following a seizure at Heathrow Airport.

Azra Williams, of Mount Pleasant, Bilston, was stopped by Border Force officers as she arrived off a flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Saturday 23 December.

Ten kilos of cocaine were found in the linings of a suit carrier contained inside one of her checked-in suitcases. The haul would have had a UK street-level value of around £800,000 once adulterated.

After being interviewed by NCA investigators she was charged with importing class A drugs.

Williams appeared before Uxbridge Magistrates on Boxing Day where she was remanded in custody to next appear before Isleworth Crown Court on 25 January.

NCA Branch Operations Manager Piers Phillips said: « NCA officers continue to work with our partners at Border Force over the festive period to make seizures like this and continue to disrupt the organised criminal groups involved in drug trafficking.”

28 December 2023

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