One of Britain’s most wanted men was extradited from the UAE on Friday, three years after he left the UK for Dubai.
Leon Cullen, 33, was extradited to Britain by officers from the National Extradition Unit after he was charged with being the head of a crime group responsible for supplying firearms and drugs.
He was arrested and detained in Dubai last January 2020 after a joint operation carried out by UAE police and Britain’s National Crime Agency, along with Interpol.
In a statement on Cheshire Police website, Assistant Chief Constable Matt Burton, from Cheshire police, thanked the UAE authorities and all those involved for their hard work and commitment to bring Cullen back to the UK.
Deputy director Tom Dowdall, head of NCA International, also emphasized the assistance of the UAE that enabled them to locate and apprehend him.
“This type of global law enforcement cooperation has never been more important to tackling serious and organised crime affecting the UK and I would like to thank the UAE authorities for all their work which led to Cullen’s arrest and extradition,” Dowdall said.
On Saturday, Cullen appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court as he was charged with offenses including conspiracy to supply firearms, ammunition and Class A drugs.
He will again appear at Liverpool Crown Court on March 22. (ES)
