‘British FBI’
in historic
Dutch arrest

Craig Allen, who is originally from Sheffield and wanted in connection with seizures of heroin and cocaine dating back to 2010, was captured by a team of armed officers as he left a furniture store on Tuesday afternoon.

Officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA), South Yorkshire Police and the Dutch National Crime Squad were involved in the operation to track down the 50-year-old.

Allen was apprehended on a European Arrest Warrant relating to an investigation by South Yorkshire Police and extradition proceedings are now underway.

During a subsequent search of an apartment in Amsterdam officers found four kilos of what is believed to be cocaine and E500,000.

Dave Allen, Head of the NCA’s Fugitives Unit, said: “This arrest is a result of close working with South Yorkshire Police and the Dutch authorities. It demonstrates the NCA and its partners have the capability to pursue fugitives relentlessly.”

Detective Inspector Craig Jackson from South Yorkshire Police said: “We will now work with the Dutch prosecutors office and the NCA to facilitate his extradition back to the UK to be dealt with.”

The National Crime Agency, has been dubbed ‘the British FBI’ after its launch on Monday.