Alex Male, from Weston, was arrested in Morocco. Picture: NCA

Crime News

Most wanted man Alex Male – from Weston – back in UK after FOUR YEARS on the run

Paul JonesAugust 8, 20240 Comment0

ALEX Male – one of the UK’s most wanted men – is back in the UK after being arrested in Morocco.

The 32-year-old, from Weston-Super-Mare, was Male, was added to the NCA’s Most Wanted appeal in January 2022 after going on the run following his arrest in June 2020.

He is accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine, money laundering and conspiracy to acquire a firearm.

After four years on the run, Male was arrested in Morocco earlier this year, and has been brought back to Britain by the National Crime Agency in conjunction with the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

He was detained on January 21 by officers from the Moroccan General Directorate for National Security (DGSN), accused of entering the country illegally using false documentation.

He has remained in custody in Morocco since his arrest and arrived back in the UK on Wednesday (August 7), escorted by officers from the NCA’s Joint International Crime Centre (JICC).

In May 2022, Male was arrested in Lisbon, Portugal, after being captured in Turkey and returned.

But, in October 2022, Male’s release was authorised following expiry of his custody time limit in Portugal, when he then left the country.

However, now back in the country, Male appeared at Exeter Magistrates’ Court today (August 8) and has been remanded into custody. He will next appear at Exeter Crown Court on September 5.

David Hucker, NCA International regional head of operations. said: “The arrest of Alex Male shows that no matter how fugitives try to evade UK law enforcement, we will always catch up with them.

“I’d like to thank our DGSN partners in Morocco for their tenacious work in locating and arresting Male.

“Fugitives who think they can go on the run and stay under the radar should never stop looking over their shoulders, as we and our international partners will always be looking for them.”

Det Supt Tina Robinson, head of SWROCU, said: “We’re glad to see Alex Male back in the UK where he can finally face the serious charges against him.

“He has tried to avoid this since going on the run four years ago, but his attempts have ultimately proved unsuccessful thanks to work with our partners both in the UK and internationally.”