UK-Spanish operation to track criminals yields quick result

The latest efforts as part of a joint Spanish-British operation to track down wanted criminals from the United Kingdom residing in Spain have already resulted in an arrest. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, police in the Canary Islands detained Everardus Wijtvliet, who was wanted in connection with drugs offenses.

Operación Captura was first launched by the UK organization Crimestoppers in conjunction with the Spanish Interior Ministry back in 2006, with the express aim of mobilizing British expats living in Spain to provide information about the fugitives from justice that may be hiding out in coastal resorts.

Since then, mugshots of around 50 wanted persons have been made public, 39 of whom have been caught, including yesterday's arrest.

On Monday, 10 new photos were published as part of the operation. They feature persons sought in connection with a range of crimes, from drug trafficking to sexual offenses.

At the presentation on Monday, a representative of the Alicante government, Encarna Llinares, pointed out that in that Mediterranean province alone there are 127,000 Britons permanently resident. She said that their collaboration in the operation is "essential."

"Anonymity"

The UK's Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) said that "confidentiality and complete anonymity" for anyone offering information about the location of any of the wanted persons was guaranteed. Anyone who recognizes those pictured can communicate that information by calling 900 555 111 or via the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

In 2008, the campaign led to the arrest of eight of the 10 most wanted criminals on the list. The operational head of SOCA, Ken Gallagher, said that some of those under international arrest warrants "think that they can hide in Spanish territory to avoid the law, but that is not the case."

The full list released on Monday included: Jamie Dempsey, age 32, who is wanted for involvement in the importation of 229 kilos of cocaine; Derek McGraw Ferguson, 46, wanted for his alleged involvement in a murder; Patrick Pious Hancox, 67, wanted for sexual offenses involving a minor; Jonathon Lejmanpor, 30, for robbery and assault; and Anthony Fraser, for his alleged involvement in the importation of two kilos of marijuana.