Wanted Manchester man caught in Benidorm after four years

Alleged drug trafficker Paul Brown was on the run from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for four years, before he was tracked down and arrested at a hotel in Benidorm.

The 50-year-old, of no fixed abode, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

It comes after the National Crime Agency (NCA) took down the encrypted communications platform, Encrochat - which the force believes Brown used and was involved in a large-scale drug conspiracy.

On Monday (April 22), following an extensive investigation between GMP, NCA, and the Spanish National Police, Paul Brown was arrested as he checked into a hotel in Benidorm - two years after a European arrest warrant was issued.

ollowing an extensive investigation between GMP, NCA, and the Spanish National Police, Paul Brown was arrested as he checked into a hotel in Benidorm - two years on from a European arrest warrant was issued (Image: Google Street View)

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."

He added: “Working with specialist resources and our international partners, we will continue to make sure wanted suspects’ live life always looking over their shoulder.”

Work is now underway to extradite Brown back to the UK where he will face his charges.

Have you got a story? Email joe.yates@newsquest.co.uk and follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @JMYjourno