David Hewson is sought by police for conspiracy to supply cocaine (Picture: PA)

The names of 13 of Britain’s most wanted criminals currently being hunted down in Spain have been released by police.

The list of fugitives, believed to be hiding in mainland Europe, are wanted for crimes including, attempted murder, sexual offences against children and class A drug dealing.

The ‘unlucky 13,’ as they have been dubbed by the National Crime Agency, Crimestoppers, and Spanish police, are thought to view Spain as a ‘safe haven’.

They are on the run following crimes perpetrated in the UK and are the focus of Operation Captura, a multi-agency drive to find them.


Stephen Blundell has been convicted of distributing heroin (Picture: PA)

Operation Captura launched in 2006 with the aim of tracking down wanted criminals that had fled to Spain.



So far 53 have been captured, helped by the introduction of European Arrest Warrants in 2004.

The full 13 have been named by authorities and include a man who has been convicted of a heroin distribution offence and is still awaiting sentencing.

Police say Stephen Blundell, from Liverpool, was ‘the principle organiser of his own heroin supply chain’, often arranging for the drug to be shipped from Liverpool to Devon.

Michael McCartney is sought by police for indecent assault (Picture: PA)

Also from Liverpool is David Hewson, who has been found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine and despite his absence was sentenced to 11 years in prison. He remains on the run.

Michael McCartney, 78, from Hertfordshire, was found guilty of nine counts of indecent assault and another of child sex abuse, namely on three boys over a number of a years.

Collaboration between UK and Spanish authorities is said to be key in tracing the criminals and both are appealing for diligence in the public to report sightings.

Lord Ashcroft, founder of Crimestoppers, said: ‘The fact we are able to once again launch Operation Captura is an indication of how successful the last seven years have been since its inception.

‘However despite our success so far, there are still a number of dangerous criminals who see Spain as a safe haven to hide from their past, but with the support of the Spanish and UK public, we can hunt them out and bring them to justice.’

See the full list of the fugitives HERE.