One of UK's most wanted men faces extradition to Scotland after arrest in Portugal

One of the UK’s most wanted faces extradition to Scotland after he was arrested in Portugal.

The Portuguese police force says they arrested a 40-year-old man in the Algarve region who is the leader of a crime group and is linked to drug trafficking.

A statement from the Judicial Police stated that the man is the subject of an international arrest warrant and has been on the run for two years.

The man was found to be in possession of a false identity. He is due to appear in court, where it will be decided if he is extradited to Scotland.

A Portuguese police spokesperson said: “The detainee is the leader of a criminal organisation dedicated to the international trafficking of cocaine and hashish in large quantities and had been on the run for about two years, following a court decision.

“In criminal activity in the United Kingdom, episodes of violence and escape from authorities with attempted run-overs are also known.

“The detainee, a foreign citizen, was in possession of a false identity and will appear before the Court of Appeal in Évora, in order to assess his extradition to the requesting country, Scotland.”

Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.