One of the UK’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Dubai.
Michael Moogan had been wanted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) for eight years for his alleged role in a large-scale international drug trafficking plot.
The 35-year-old Liverpool player was on the run following a raid on a Dutch cafe on suspicion of being used as a front for meetings between drug traffickers and cartels.
Ketel’s Café in Rotterdam was “at the heart of a plot to bring hundreds of kilograms of cocaine into the UK every week,” the NCA said.
Moogan and two other British men were linked to the cafe, which was not open to the public and could only be entered through a security system, according to the crime control agency.
The NCA said detectives suspected Moogan and his associates of being involved in plans to import drugs from Latin America to the European Union.
Dubai Police believe Moogan entered the UAE using a different identity and attempted to avoid CCTV in an attempt to evade officers.
He was eventually found and apprehended on April 21.
Nikki Holland, NCA Director of Investigations, said: “This arrest is the result of years of investigation involving a range of law enforcement partners in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. .
“We are extremely grateful to these partners for their help in bringing Moogan to justice now and especially thank the Dubai Police for their efforts in locating him.”
Following the raid on a cafe, Robert Hamilton, 71, of Manchester, was jailed for eight years in 2014 after pleading guilty to drug charges.
Another man, Robert Gerard, indulged in the NCA after three years of racing, saying the pressure was too much.
The 57-year-old from Liverpool pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and was jailed in 2017 for 14 years.
The NCA said Moogan will now be sent back to the UK for trial.
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-05-09 14:05:00
