Operation Return II

Following the success of Operation Return, launched last year in Amsterdam, crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is today releasing details of six further UK criminals suspected of being on the run in the Netherlands [28 June 2011]
 
Operation Return II is a multi-agency campaign involving the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), Crimestoppers UK, Meld Misdaad Anoniem/’M’ (Dutch Crimestoppers) and  Netherlands law enforcement. It aims to engage the media and the public to help locate fugitives wanted for serious crimes committed in the UK but believed to be in and around the city of Amsterdam.

The list includes some of the UK’s most dangerous criminals wanted for crimes relating to drugs smuggling, firearms and rape.

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers’ Deputy Chief Executive said: “I am pleased to see the repeat of this campaign. This follows our recent success of Operation Captura in Spain earlier this year, where two of the ten subjects were arrested within 48 hours of the launch. I hope this success will be replicated in the Netherlands.

“Not only is the campaign successful in tracking people wanted for serious offences, 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 by using our online Giving Information Form.”

Frank Francis, from SOCA’s international department, said: “This campaign builds on the superb relationship that SOCA enjoys with the Dutch police, and engages the local and ex-pat communities to drive up the pressure on UK criminals in Amsterdam an the wider region. We know this level of attention has a significant impact on criminals, and is a vital part of our work to make the Netherlands a hostile place for UK fugitives.

“I encourage every member of the public to look out for these fugitives and pass any information on their whereabouts to Crimestoppers; these are clearly people you do not want living in your community.”

Members of the public are encouraged to visit the Crimestoppers website – www.crimestoppers-uk.org/mostwanted  – to view the six appeals.

 

Subject: Paul Christopher FINNIGAN
Born: 10/05/1989
Place of Birth: Liverpool, UK

Offences:
FINNIGAN is accused of being a key facilitator in an organised crime group which conspired to import drugs into the UK between 2008 – 2009. He was arrested for two counts of conspiring to supply Class A and B drugs in 2009. He was bailed to return to the police station but failed to attend.

• Eleven defendants have already been convicted and sentenced for their part in the conspiracy.

Description:
• Slim build, mousey brown hair.

Alias:
• Paul Finnegan

Force: Merseyside Police

Subject: Mark Anthony FITZGIBBON
Born: 18/03/1971
Place of Birth: Liverpool, United Kingdom

Offences:
• FITZGIBBON is accused of the possession and supply of Class B and Class C drugs; namely amphetamines and cannabis. This relates to a seizure of 84.4kg of cannabis and 57.6kg of amphetamine powder at an address in Liverpool.

Description:
• White male, 5’10” tall, medium build

Alias:
• Dob – 02/04/1969

Force: SOCA

Subject: Belino GRIPSHI
Born: 07/07/1973
Place of Birth: Peje, Albania

Offences:
• GRIPSHI is wanted for conspiring to supply Class A drugs and money laundering offences.
• He is believed to be a member of a organised criminal network trafficking cocaine into the UK.  So far, 9.5 kilograms of cocaine, £120,000 in cash and manufacturing equipment for wholesale cocaine supply, has been seized.
• GRIPSHI has been known to travel from the UK towards Albania taking large amounts of hard currency with him.

Description:
• White male, dark brown hair, brown eyes, proportionate build,

Alias: N/A

Force: Metropolitan Police

Subject: Mark McKENNA
Born: 29/04/1970
Place of Birth: Liverpool, United Kingdom

Offences:
• McKENNA was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. In June 2008 he absconded from prison and remains unlawfully at large.

Description:
• White male, 5’10” tall, stocky build, bald headed, ruddy complexion, small scar on right side of right eye

Alias: N/A

Force: Derbyshire Police

Subject: Dejan SHEGA
Born: 08/06/1977
Place of Birth:  Albania

Offences:
• SHEGA is wanted for conspiring to supply Class A drugs and money laundering offences.
• He is believed to be a member of an organised criminal network trafficking cocaine into the UK. So far, 9.5 kilograms of cocaine, £120,000 in cash and manufacturing equipment for wholesale cocaine supply, has been seized.
•  SHEGA has been known to travel from the UK towards Albania taking large amounts of hard currency with him.

Description:
• White male, dark brown straight hair.

Alias:
• Dob 03/06/1968

Force: Metropolitan Police

Subject: James Nicholas TARRANT
Born: 15/02/1955
Place of Birth:  United Kingdom

Offences:
• TARRANT has been convicted for conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis, possession of a firearm and ammunition, following searches at his home address.   
• In 2009, he pleaded not guilty, was granted conditional bail and absconded. TARRANT has not been seen since.

Description:
•    Grey hair

Alias: N/A

Force: Metropolitan Police

-ends-

For further information please contact Julie Moule, Senior Media Officer on 020 8835 3737 or julie.moule@crimestoppers-uk.org.

About Crimestoppers
• 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 via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org

• Around 21 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every six days is charged with murder.

• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 100,000 arrests and charges. Over £114 million worth of property has been recovered and over £203 million worth of drugs.

• 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 1000 arrests to date from over 5,000 thousand appeals posted.

• 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.

• Both Crimestoppers UK and M guarantee the anonymity of every one who passes on information about crime. The difference is that Crimestoppers UK is a charity and M is a public private foundation.  Both are not-for-profit organizations, independent and not part of the police.