Operation Captura captures Anthony Fraser

Crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) can confirm that Anthony Fraser, grandson of the notorious criminal Frank Fraser, was arrested in Gibraltar at approximately 12.15pm today (local time) after surrendering to local authorities.

Anthony FRASER, born 24/12/1971 in London, was published under the latest batch of wanted individuals as part of Operation Captura. He was sought under a European arrest warrant for drugs offences in relation to a joint SOCA-Metropolitan Police Middle Market Drugs Partnership investigation. Following his arrest this afternoon, the extradition process will now commence.

Drugs concealed within frozen chicken

It is alleged that FRASER was involved in the importation of approximately two tonnes of cannabis into the UK from the Netherlands on 17/03/09.  The drugs had been concealed within a consignment of frozen chicken produce.

75% success rate

Michael Laurie CBE, Crimestoppers' Chief Executive said: “This is another great result and one of the most high profile individuals sought from the most recent batch under Operation Captura.

“This arrest now brings the total to a fantastic 75 per cent success rate for Operation Captura (45 arrested out of 60 appeals).

“Not only is the campaign successful in tracking people down in Spain, but it displaces them as well, but as we can see, no matter where these wanted individuals run to, law enforcement will find them.

“I hope this further reinforces to fugitives, that you can run, but can’t hide forever. I would urge the public to look again at the most wanted section of our website to see if they recognise any of the wanted individuals and if you have any information contact us anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.”

UK fugitives under pressure in Spain

SOCA's Head of European Operations, Ken Gallagher said: "This arrest serves to demonstrate once again the pressure UK fugitives are finding themselves under while attempting to hide in Spain, and elsewhere in Europe. There will be no let up from law enforcement in the UK and abroad in ensuring that individuals like Anthony Fraser are made to answer the cases against them."

The arrest is the sixth from the latest batch of ten wanted individuals revealed in Alicante in February under Operation Captura; a multi agency campaign to locate wanted individuals that are wanted on a European Arrest Warrant issued by the UK and are believed to be living in Spain to try and evade capture.

The ten appeals, revealed in Alicante, included some of the UK's most dangerous individuals, wanted for serious crimes including drugs trafficking, murder and child sex offences. See who's still wanted under Operation Captura

What is Operation Captura?

Operation Captura is the successful multi-agency campaign which identifies individuals on the run in Spain who are wanted by UK law enforcement agencies for serious crimes committed in the UK.

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Notes to editors:

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information’ form.
• Around 23 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over 1.2 million actionable calls, resulting in over 107,000 arrests and charges. Over £115 million worth of goods has been recovered and over £210 million worth of drugs has been seized.
• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK’s Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 1,200 arrests to date.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers’ ‘call to action’ is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.