A British crime boss convicted of trying to import millions of pounds of drugs has been arrested in Thailand after fleeing Britain five years ago.
Richard Wakeling, 55, escaped in January 2018 just as his 12-week trial was due to begin.
He was convicted in his absence of attempting to import £8million worth of amphetamine suspended in liquid in 2016, and was given an 11-year jail sentence in April 2018 at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Wakeling was subsequently placed on the National Crime Agency’s Most Wanted list, and appeals were issued for information to help trace him.
On Friday (February 10), he was arrested by officers from the Royal Thai Police in Bangkok as he went to collect his car from a garage after it had been repaired.
David Coyle, NCA regional manager for Thailand, said: “The NCA has worked relentlessly to trace Wakeling and ensure he returns to the UK to serve his prison sentence.
“I thank the prosecutors of the Attorney General’s office, the Royal Thai Police and the Commissioner of the Central Investigations Bureau for their extensive work helping us identify and arrest Wakeling.
“With our partners at home and abroad we are committed to doing everything possible to find those who have fled justice in the UK.
“This is another example of an offender being caught because of the NCA’s global reach and strong relationships with international partners.”
Wakeling, who had been living in the beachside town of Hua Hin, remains in custody and extradition proceedings are underway.
The NCA began its investigation into Wakeling after Border Force stopped a truck boarding a Channel Tunnel train on April 9 2016, which was found to be carrying plastic drums containing the drugs.
The driver, who was transporting furniture from Italy, had picked up the drugs at Ternat in Belgium. It was Wakeling however who had set up the entire importation.
Jacque Beer, NCA regional head of investigations, said: “Wakeling’s arrest was the culmination of the NCA conducting enquiries around the world to capture him.
“Wakeling had links to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Canada, Spain and Thailand. We pursued these connections and worked with partners from all those countries to help build the intelligence picture around him.
“We have been supported by the public who responded to the media and Crimewatch appeals to provide intelligence all of which has ultimately led to his capture.”
