UK’s most wanted fugitive arrested in Lagos

•Lee

A campaign launched by crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers to locate some of Britain’s most-wanted fugitives has seen further success following the arrest of Dion Kendrick Lee in Lagos.

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has helped the British authorities nab its most wanted fugitive, Dion Kendrick Lee.

 

 

 

 

He was arrested on Tuesday in Lagos.

Lee, from Preston, was wanted by Lancashire Police and the Serious Organised Crime Agency in connection with drugs and firearms crimes, as well as allegedly conspiring to supply Class A and C Drugs and conspiracy to possess, sell or transfer firearms and ammunition.

The 34-year-old becomes the fourth individual located since a campaign launched by Crimestoppers Operation Return launched last year with SOCA, Meld Misdaad Anoniem/’M’ (Dutch Crimestoppers) and Netherlands law enforcement. It aims to identify fugitives wanted for serious crimes committed in the UK, but who are now thought to be in and around Amsterdam.

Deputy Chief Executive for Crimestoppers Dave Cording said: "This is encouraging news and highlights another success under Operation Return. I would like to take this opportunity to re-iterate the message to those still wanted, you can run but you can’t hide forever. Law enforcement will locate you, no matter where you are hiding in the world."

The list includes some of the UK’s most dangerous criminals wanted for suspected crimes relating to drugs smuggling, the illegal sale of firearms, robbery and rape.

The search for Lee started two years ago when he was declared wanted by the Operation Greengage Team for his involvement in the importation of cocaine, cannabis, firearms and ammunition into the United Kingdom from Amsterdam.

The Greengage Team worked closely with colleagues from enforcement agencies throughout Europe.

Chief Inspector Steve Mounsey, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said:"This has been a protracted and complex investigation concerning the importation of class A drugs, firearms and ammunition into the UK.

"The Operation Greengage Team is very keen to ascertain the whereabouts of Mr Lee and hopefully, as a result of this latest national appeal, we will be given new information which will lead us to him.

"However, we still believe that people living in Lancashire also could hold vital information about Mr Lee and we would ask them to contact Lancashire police or Crimestoppers.

"We believe he has recently been residing in the Netherlands and we have been liaising closely with colleagues there in efforts to trace him, however I cannot discount him having moved on in an effort to evade arrest."