A campaign to track down some of the UK’s most wanted fugitives believed to be hiding in Cyprus is set to launch.
The list of eight men and one woman was compiled by the Crimestoppers charity, the UK’s Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) and the Cypriot authorities.
One of the men is Martin Evans, 50, from Swansea, who is wanted for drug dealing, theft and fraudulent trading.
Details of the eight other criminals being targeted by Operation Zygos are due to be released at 10:00 BST.
The individuals are wanted by UK law enforcement bodies for crimes including alleged drug offences, fraud and serious sexual assault.
It is believed the suspects may be hiding among the large expatriate community in the country.
Crimestoppers founder Lord Ashcroft said: “My hope is that we shall see more success in bringing some of the UK’s most wanted fugitives to justice.
“While these suspected criminals will see Cyprus as a safe place to evade law enforcement, my belief is that with the help of the local public and expatriate community these individuals will not be able to escape justice for much longer.”
‘Harm to communities’
Evans, who went on the run in 2011, is high on the list, according to the charity’s head of campaigns.
“He is wanted for transporting, selling class A drugs – cocaine and ecstasy,” said Isabel Cross.
On the run
Martin Evans, 50, from Swansea, ran a drug-dealing gang between 1999 and 2001, smuggling drugs into Britain and laundering the proceeds by converting cash into foreign currencies and moving it to the Netherlands, where it was used to buy more drugs.
He is also wanted for stealing thousands of pounds of investments made to a company he ran called Ostrich Centre Limited in 1995.
He went on the run after being released from prison on licence in 2011.
Evans goes under various aliases, including Martin Roydon Evans, Martin Royden Evans, Martin Wayne Evans, Anthony Hall and Paul Kelly. He has the initials M E tattooed on his right arm.
He is 5ft 11ins to 6ft tall, stocky, has short brown hair that is going grey and blue eyes.
“In addition, he has managed to defraud a number of members of the public to the tune of around £100,000. Here is someone that we really think is probably living a life of luxury, probably in Cyprus.”
All nine have had European Arrest Warrants issued against them.
The campaign is targeting criminals who could be in the Republic of Cyprus and Turkish-controlled Northern Cyprus.
Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward regardless of which part of the island the suspect is in.
Soca deputy director Martin Molloy said: “Fugitives hiding overseas typically remain part of the criminal world, continuing to bring harm to communities locally and beyond.
“Soca and our partners are determined to ensure life on the run is intolerable for them and that they are returned to face justice in the UK.”
Crimestoppers has set up a web page dedicated to the campaign.
The charity has run similar schemes, including in Spain, where Operation Captura, launched in October 2006, led to 49 out of 65 suspects being arrested.
