Somerset man on UK's 'most wanted' list arrested in Portugal after using fake passport

Alex Male was detained at Lisbon Airport having just arrived on a flight from Turkey
Alex Male was detained at Lisbon Airport having just arrived on a flight from Turkey Credit: PA

A fugitive from Somerset – who is on the UK's "most wanted" list - has been arrested after trying to fly to Portugal using a fake passport.

Alex Male, from Weston-super-Mare, was arrested at Lisbon Airport on April 30 after arriving on a flight from Turkey.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) added the 29-year-old to its most wanted list in January after it is alleged Male distributes class A drugs across the South West.

It's believed he was buying and selling the substances using an EncroChat encrypted communications network.

'I'm delighted he has been caught'

NCA international liaison officer, Phil Robinson, said: "Male naively believed he could travel across international borders using fraudulent documentation and remain undetected by law enforcement.

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"But he underestimated the vigilance and expertise of the Turkish border police, which enabled the Portuguese authorities to act.

"Any arrest of a fugitive is a fantastic result, even more so since Male had only recently been added to our most wanted list.

"He is wanted in connection with dangerous crimes, which have a devastating impact on communities, so I’m delighted he has been caught.

"We continue to work with our international partners to close the net around fugitives, no matter where they are."

Male is accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine, money laundering and conspiracy to acquire a firearm as part of his drug dealing activity between April and June 2020.

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'There is nowhere safe to hide'

He had been on the run after failing to follow to the bail restrictions imposed following his arrest.

He was previously on the run in the Marbella area of Spain before moving to Portugal.

Male remains in custody and will now face extradition proceedings.

Detective Inspector Adrian Hawkins of the South West regional organised crime unit (SW ROCU) said: "Male will now be returned to the criminal justice system in the UK to face the charges he ran away from.

"This is an example of international law enforcement working together to ensure justice can be done and demonstrating there is nowhere safe to hide."