Hunt for drugs fugitive with links to Devon
Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers’ latest campaign to locate 13 wanted fugitives, believed to be hiding in Spain, includes an appeal for a man wanted for a series of drug offences, with links to Devon.
Stephen Blundell, 35, is wanted for the conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and was convicted for being principal organiser of his own heroin supply chain.
He regularly arranged for heroin to be supplied from Liverpool to Devon, and is now believed to be hiding in Spain after skipping his hearing to be sentenced.
The Liverpudlian joins 12 other new wanted individuals on the multi-agency Operation Captura campaign list, which involves Crimestoppers and the newly formed National Crime Agency (NCA) working closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Madrid and with British and Spanish law enforcement agencies.
The campaign highlights appeals for information on criminals who have European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) issued against them. Information given to Crimestoppers can help locate these criminals so that arrests can be carried out by the Spanish police.
This is the eighth appeal to launch as part of the ongoing fugitive campaign, which has so far seen 53 of 63 individuals located since its first launch in 2006.
Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said: “The fact we are able to once again launch Operation Captura is an indication of how successful the last seven years have been since its inception.
“However, despite our success so far, there are still a number of dangerous criminals who see Spain as a safe haven to hide from their past, but with the support of the Spanish and UK public, we can hunt them out and bring them to justice.”
Hank Cole, Head of International Operations for the National Crime Agency, said: “The NCA and its partners have the capability to pursue fugitives relentlessly. Spain is not a safe haven. Fifty three fugitives have been caught since Captura was launched, and many more linked to other operations.
“The exceptional level of collaboration and intelligence sharing with the Spanish authorities has been vital to many of these arrests. The most important thing though is the power of this campaign to harness the eyes and ears of the public, both here and in Spain.”
Crimestoppers’ Chairman for Devon & Cornwall, Stephen Pearce, said: “Blundell has committed some very serious drug offences, so why should we let him get away with not serving his sentence?
“The answer is, we shouldn’t, and I would urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on our 0800 555 111 number of by filling out our anonymous online form on our website.”
For a full list of the 13 individuals featured as part of the campaign please visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org/opcaptura
