Benjamin Macann: Alleged Norfolk drugs supplier on UK Most Wanted list is arrested in Bulgaria

Benjamin Macann from Beetley in Norfolk was arrested in Bulgaria. Credit: National Crime Agency
Benjamin Macann, 32, was arrested on Monday at a hotel in the southern Bulgarian city of Plovdiv. Credit: National Crime Agency

One of the UK's most wanted men has been arrested in Bulgaria.

Alleged drugs supplier Benjamin Macann, 32, was arrested on Monday at a hotel in the southern city of Plovdiv, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

He was found and arrested after an operation by the NCA, Bulgarian police and Spanish Guardia Civil.

At the time, he had a fake passport and a genuine passport in someone else's name.

A public appeal to help trace Macann was made in January this year when the NCA and Crimestoppers launched a new Most Wanted campaign featuring 12 fugitives who were believed to be hiding in Spain.

He is wanted by Norfolk Police for allegedly conspiring to supply class A drugs.Macann, formerly of Halfpenny Lane in Beetley near Dereham is accused of supplying kilogrammes of cocaine in 2020 in which he and accomplices used encrypted handsets.He is the fifth fugitive from the list to be arrested since the Most Wanted campaign was launched in January.

He is currently in custody awaiting the beginning of extradition proceedings.

Steve Reynolds, NCA regional manager in Spain, said: “Benjamin Macann’s arrest was  made possible after some great work by our international liaison officers, the Guardia Civil fugitives team, Bulgarian police and our counterparts in Bulgaria’s international cooperation directorate to whom we are very grateful.“Macann is the fifth fugitive to be arrested from the Most Wanted list. We won’t stop until the remainder are caught.”Det Sgt Eddie Hammond of the Norfolk and Suffolk Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “We continue to work with partners and law enforcement agencies around the world to locate our most wanted.

“We would like to thank them all for their continued determination and meticulous hard work as they continue to disrupt criminal networks around the world, meaning nowhere is safe to hide.”

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know