Dean Garforth: UK Fugitive Jailed in Marbella
Dean Garforth, listed as one of the UK's most wanted fugitives, has been sentenced to 18 years and eight months in prison after being apprehended in Marbella, Spain. The 31-year-old, previously residing in Widnes, Cheshire, had been on the run for two years before attempting to escape police on an e-bike in 2022.
Garforth pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, as well as the transfer of prohibited weapons and ammunition. The sentencing, carried out at Chester Crown Court, marked the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation by Cheshire Police, exposing Garforth's high-level involvement in drug trafficking.
Operating at the pinnacle of the criminal hierarchy, Garforth utilized the encrypted communication network EncroChat to coordinate significant drug supplies and weapon transfers. The investigation, initiated in April 2020, meticulously tracked Garforth's activities and messages under the alias "Slickcliff."
His arrest followed a failed attempt to evade police in a transit van in Widnes in May 2020. A subsequent search revealed a mobile phone linked to Garforth, used for communication on EncroChat.
Between March and July 2020, Garforth engaged in discussions with associates regarding the delivery of cocaine, cannabis, firearms, and ammunition in north-west England. A warrant executed in October 2020 uncovered his escape to Spain.
Listed as one of the UK's most wanted in January 2022, Garforth was captured in Marbella during a pre-planned operation in October 2022. Following extradition to the UK, he faced sentencing at Chester Crown Court.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick Henderson highlighted the impact of cracking EncroChat, emphasizing that the encrypted device, once breached by law enforcement, made it nearly impossible for users to deny involvement in serious and organized crime.
Garforth's imprisonment stands as a significant achievement for law enforcement, reflecting ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and ensure that fugitives face justice.
