A SUSPECTED member of a ‘well-established’ drugs gang with links to Spain is being hunted by the National Crime Agency.

Dean Garforth is wanted by Cheshire Police, having allegedly been involved in an organised crime group known to have supplied "significant" quantities of cocaine and cannabis within the county.

The 29-year-old is also believed to have traded firearms and ammunition using the encrypted communications platform EncroChat.

He is one of 12 of the country’s ‘most wanted’ fugitives being circulated by the NCA, all of whom are thought to be in hiding in Spain.

This campaign is being run in conjunction with Crimestoppers and Spanish law enforcement.

Garforth, from Liverpool, is described as being white, around 5ft6 with a slim build and has brown hair.

Steve Rodhouse, the NCA’s director general of operations, said: “Spain is not a safe haven – we have a brilliant relationship with the country’s various law enforcement agencies and work together daily to protect the public.

“With 86 offenders arrested in our last fugitives campaign, criminals know we will never give up and we’re never far behind them.

“Our Spanish partners were crucial to many of those arrests, and in 2021 arrested and returned more than 25 wanted UK fugitives.

“The NCA’s international crime bureau and international liaison officers work on behalf of UK policing to exchange information and intelligence with partners abroad leading to the tracing and arrests of criminals globally.

“Fugitives usually continue offending while on the run, and these men will be known in criminal circles wherever they are.

“The last thing the fugitives’ associates will want is the combined determination and capabilities of the UK and Spanish law enforcement focusing on them.

“Many of these fugitives will be trying to blend into the large British communities who have made their homes in Spain, and if you are resident you may know one of them from your town or village.

“Loyalties change over time, and we urge anyone with information about these men to help us find them.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, while callers in Spain should dial 900 926 111.