The BBC reports
A drug gang boss who has been on the run for five years has been arrested in Thailand, the National Crime Agency (NCA) has said.
Richard Wakeling, 55, of Brentwood, Essex, fled the country in January 2018 on the eve of his trial.
He was convicted in his absence of trying to import £8m of amphetamines in 2016 and jailed for 11 years in April 2018 at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Wakeling had been on the NCA’s most wanted list.
He was arrested by Thai police on Friday at a Bangkok garage as he went to collect his car after repairs.
The NCA said he was found in possession of a passport in another identity.
Wakeling, who had been living in the beachside town of Hua Hin, remains in custody and extradition proceedings are under way.
David Coyle, NCA regional manager for Thailand, said: “The NCA has worked relentlessly to trace Wakeling and ensure he returns to the UK to serve his prison sentence.”
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