The National Crime Agency has unveiled its latest most wanted list featuring a dozen fugitives believed to be hiding out in Spain, with the suspects accused of serious crimes
The hunt is on for 12 of Britain’s most wanted fugitives believed to be soaking up the sun in Spain. An urgent fresh appeal has been launched today to track down a dozen of the UK’s most wanted men, including an accused double killer, alleged drug barons and suspected underworld money men.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has released the 2026 most wanted list, marking two decades since the launch of Operation Captura. The multi-agency campaign has been a nightmare for crooks on the run, successfully snaring 98 out of 111 previously named targets.
Investigators are now turning up the heat on the final few who are suspected of trying to escape justice.
Despite a massive crackdown and strong partnerships between British and Spanish cops, the Costa del Sol remains a magnet for Brits looking to vanish, reports the Express.
Crime kingpin Kenneth Noye infamously escaped to Spain after killing motorist Stephen Cameron in a 1996 road rage incident.
Already notorious for handling Brink’s-Mat robbery gold, Noye hid himself on the Costa del Sol until his 1998 arrest and extradition. He was found guilty of murder in 2000, freed on licence in 2019 and now resides in the Sevenoaks area of Kent.
In a pledge to catch every single fugitive, Rob Jones, the NCA’s director of general operations, said: “As we mark the 20th anniversary of Operation Captura, our message is very clear.
“Spain is not a safe haven for fugitives and this partnership has shown time and again that if you run, we will not stop looking. We will find you, and we will bring you back to face justice.
“Fugitives rarely stop offending while on the run. They continue to harm communities in both Spain and the UK, and attempt to stay under the radar by blending into large British ex-pat populations. These are not people you want in your neighbourhood.
“Thanks to the strength of our relationship with Spanish law enforcement partners, and the combined determination and capabilities we are able to exploit, 90 per cent of the individuals we have featured in Operation Captura have been located over the past two decades.
“Today, we are asking for the public’s help once more. Loyalties change, time moves on. If you have any information that could help us, now is the time to come forward.”
The men highlighted in this year’s campaign have connections to Spain including regions such as Tenerife, Marbella, Alicante and Malaga. Amongst the most wanted is Simon Dutton, 49, who is wanted on a re-call to prison.
He was sentenced for orchestrating large-scale cocaine importations and money laundering, with one seizure being valued at £1.5 million. Dutton has the name “Rachel” tattooed on his left arm and carries scars on his chin, left hand and right leg.
Dean Eighteen, 48, is sought for submitting fraudulent VAT repayment claims on behalf of two firms where he serves as the sole director. Eighteen is a white male and is thought to have departed the UK in January 2019.
Also wanted is Derek McGraw Ferguson, 62, in connection with the murder of Thomas Cameron which occurred in Glasgow in 2007. Ferguson is likely to be residing under an assumed identity and has appeared in previous campaigns.
He remains amongst Police Scotland’s most wanted fugitives and age-progressed images of Ferguson are accessible on the NCA’s most wanted website.
Philip Barry Foster, 50, is sought to start his eight-and-a-half-year prison term for fraud and money laundering. His victims handed over considerable sums of money for substandard photographs, on the pledge of securing professional modelling opportunities.
Another individual wanted is 23-year-old Russian national Alexsandr Kuksov. He stands accused of involvement with an organised crime group that laundered millions of pounds of criminal cash between September and October 2022.
Kuksov is stocky with mousy brown hair. He was added to the most wanted list in January 2026. Heavily inked Spencer Dillon Lamb, 33, is sought for supplying and cultivating drugs. Lamb has numerous tattoos covering his head, neck, arms and abdomen, plus a scar beneath his left eye.
Wanted for his role in cocaine and cannabis supply and possessing criminal cash is Liam Michael Murray. The 34-year-old white male is of a medium build and speaks with a north-east accent.
Francis David Parker, 40, is thought to be an active participant in the Coggins organised crime group (OCG). He is sought for directing drug couriers and collecting money on behalf of the OCG. He is stocky with short brown and grey hair.
Kevin Thomas Parle is wanted in connection with the murders of Liam Kelly in 2004 and Lucy Hargreaves in 2005. The 45-year-old has red hair and has appeared in previous campaigns. He is thought to have connections to southern Spain.
Matthew Purves, 41, is sought for his role in a conspiracy to supply multiple kilos of cocaine across the UK. Purves stands 6ft tall with cropped auburn hair and is thought to have links to southern Spain as well as Corby and Peterborough.
John Rocks, 37, is charged with committing sexual offences between 2012 and 2022. He is a white British male with a slim build and fair hair.
Lastly, Charlie Salisbury is wanted on suspicion of dealing cocaine and laundering the proceeds of these crimes. The 34-year-old, who also used EncroChat, has a tattoo of a koi carp and a dragon covering his entire right arm, as well as tattoos on his lower right leg.
Anyone with information about one of the most wanted is urged to call Crimestoppers anonymously in the UK on 0800 555 111. Callers in Spain should call the freephone Spanish number 900 926 111.
Alternatively, members of the public can fill out an anonymous online form via the charity’s website.
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