Civil Guard officers confirmed the arrest of an Irish fugitive who had taken up residence in Benissa. The 34-year-old man was wanted by authorities in Ireland on eight charges related to drug trafficking and illegal weapons possession. He appeared before the National Court via the Dénia courts and was ordered held in a temporary detention facility while the extradition process to Ireland progressed. The action reflects ongoing cross-border cooperation in criminal investigations and the use of European arrest warrants to secure suspects across EU member states.
The inquiry by the Civil Guard began after an anonymous tip received on December 12, which referenced the individual connected to Benissa and his circle. The report suggested that a person wanted by Irish judicial authorities was present in the area, triggering a formal investigative response from Spanish authorities. The Civil Guard later confirmed the case involved a European arrest and surrender warrant issued by Irish authorities, and the investigation team tracked the fugitive through coordinated work with regional partners.
From Moraira, the Civil Guard led the case with support from the Central Operations Unit and its Fugitives from Justice Team. The joint effort involved cross-agency cooperation to verify the suspect’s identity, confirm the Irish warrant, and organize the extradition steps that followed.
Controls
Widespread search efforts were undertaken with the goal of locating the fugitive and ensuring public safety. The operation received assistance from Civil Guard units stationed in the Calp area, which contributed to vehicle and person identification activities designed to pinpoint the suspect. The process emphasized routine security measures in Teulada on December 15 as officers pursued the fugitive through a series of checks and verifications aimed at preventing any attempt to evade capture.
During a first contact, the fugitive attempted to mislead authorities. He used a manipulated identity document, but his real identity was ultimately determined by officers, and he was detained. The incident underscores the procedural steps that law enforcement follows when a person is confronted under a European arrest warrant, including verification of documents and careful handling of the detainee to ensure legal compliance.
According to the Civil Guard, the suspect faces a new charge for falsifying a document in addition to the European arrest and surrender warrant already issued by Irish authorities. The case demonstrates how domestic police work can intersect with international law enforcement to resolve cases involving multiple jurisdictions.