Latest news with #FrancisCoggins
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Alleged drug trafficker Francis Coggins arrested in the Netherlands
He is wanted in the UK on charges relating to smuggling cocaine and heroin Alleged drug trafficker Francis Coggins has been arrested in the Netherlands. The 60-year-old, who was wanted on suspicion of trafficking drugs to the UK was nabbed by Dutch cops outside a residential property in Zandvoort on Tuesday. It comes after he spent five years on the run. He was taken into custody amid ongoing cooperation between the National Crime Agency (NCA), the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), and the Dutch National Police. Dutch National Police (Getty Images) News in 90 Seconds - 5th June 2025 Coggins, of Huyton, Liverpool, was wanted by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit on charges related to smuggling heroin and cocaine. He appeared before a court in Amsterdam on Wednesday as extradition proceedings began. He is alleged to head up the Huyton Firm - a large-scale organised crime group involved in drug trafficking, blackmail, contract killing and violent crime. Also known as the Cantril Farm Cartel, he runs the gang alongside his brother Vincent Coggins, who was jailed for 28 years last year. The powerful drug gang rose to prominence in Merseyside following the downfall of other gangs, such as the one headed up by the notorious Curtis 'Cocky' Warren. The gang originated in a small village and grew to gain a feared reputation, commanding respect from other crooks. Their downfall came when French authorities hacked EncroChat, an encrypted messaging service used by criminal organisations to conduct their business. 'The agency has been working extensively with the ROCU and our international partners to trace Coggins and return him to the UK,' Gill Duggan, head of Europe at the NCA said. 'It does not matter where fugitives go. The agency's reach and strong relationships with international partners mean we will always tenaciously pursue those wanted by law enforcement.' Detective Superintendent Zoe Russo from the North West ROCU added: 'This arrest demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that individuals wanted for serious offences, whether in the UK or abroad, are brought to justice. 'We work closely with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend fugitives, no matter where they try to hide. The message is clear: if you are wanted, we will find you.'
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Merseyside suspected UK drug trafficker arrested in Dutch town
A Merseyside man wanted on suspicion of trafficking cocaine and heroin into the UK has been arrested in the Netherlands. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said Francis Coggins, 60, of Huyton, was found outside a property in the Dutch town of Zandvoort on Tuesday. He was in court in the Netherlands on Wednesday, and will be extradited to the UK, the NCA said. Det Supt Zoe Russo said: "We work closely with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend fugitives, no matter where they try to hide. The message is clear: if you are wanted, we will find you." Coggins was wanted on a Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TACA) warrant for alleged drug trafficking, the agency said. He was remanded in custody and will return to court at a later Duggan, head of Europe at the NCA, said the agency had been working extensively with international organisation to track Coggins down and return him to the UK. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Fugitive Liverpool 'drug trafficker' wanted for 'smuggling cocaine and heroin' arrested in Holland after five-year manhunt
A 'fugitive' alleged international drug trafficker from Liverpool faces being extradited back to the UK after he was arrested in the Netherlands. Francis Coggins, 60, was held outside a residential property in the coastal town of Zandvoort on Tuesday. He was taken into custody by officers from the Dutch National Police following a manhunt led by 'Britain's FBI ', the National Crime Agency. Coggins, of Huyton, Merseyside, was wanted by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit on a warrant for allegedly smuggling heroin and cocaine into the UK. His brother Vincent is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for blackmail and drugs trafficking over his role at the head of Merseyside organised crime group the Huyton Firm. That case followed the cracking of encrypted EncroChat exchanges - dubbed 'WhatsApp for criminals' – by French law enforcement. Francis Coggins appeared at court in Amsterdam yesterday to begin the process of extradition to the UK and was remanded in custody. Gill Duggan, head of Europe at the NCA said: 'The agency has been working extensively with the ROCU and our international partners to trace Coggins and return him to the UK. 'It does not matter where fugitives go. 'The agency's reach and strong relationships with international partners mean we will always tenaciously pursue those wanted by law enforcement.' Detective Superintendent Zoe Russo from the North West ROCU said: 'This arrest demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that individuals wanted for serious offences, whether in the UK or abroad, are brought to justice. 'We work closely with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend fugitives, no matter where they try to hide.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Brit wanted for 'drug trafficking' arrested abroad after five year manhunt
Francis Coggins, 60, of Huyton, Liverpool, had been at the centre of a five year manhunt when he was held outside a residential property in the coastal town of Zandvoort on Tuesday A British fugitive wanted for international drug trafficking has been arrested in Holland ending a five-year manhunt. Francis Coggins, 60, was held outside a residential property in the coastal town of Zandvoort on Tuesday by officers from the Dutch National Police. He was taken into custody after ongoing work between the National Crime Agency, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) and the Dutch National Police. It is understood that he has been wanted for the last five years. Coggins, of Huyton, Liverpool, was wanted by the North West ROCU on a TACA warrant (Trade and Cooperation Agreement) for allegedly smuggling heroin and cocaine. He appeared at court in Amsterdam on Wednesday to begin the process of extradition to the UK and he was remanded to appear again on a date to be confirmed. Gill Duggan, head of Europe at the NCA said: 'The agency has been working extensively with the ROCU and our international partners to trace Coggins and return him to the UK. "It does not matter where fugitives go. The agency's reach and strong relationships with international partners mean we will always tenaciously pursue those wanted by law enforcement.' Detective Superintendent Zoe Russo from the North West ROCU said: 'This arrest demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that individuals wanted for serious offences, whether in the UK or abroad, are brought to justice. We work closely with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend fugitives, no matter where they try to hide. The message is clear: if you are wanted, we will find you.'
Daily Record
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
'Drug trafficker' Francis Coggins snared in the Netherlands amid National Crime Agency probe
The 60-year-old was detained in the Netherlands. Alleged international drug smuggle r Francis Coggins has been arrested in Europe. He was detained in a Dutch coastal town amid a National Crime Agency probe. The 60-year-old was snared by officers from the Dutch National Police force outside a residential property in Zandvoort yesterday, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. He was taken into custody after ongoing work between the National Crime Agency (NCA), the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) and the Dutch National Police. Coggins, of Stockbridge Village, Merseyside, was wanted by the NWROCU on a trade and cooperation agreement warrant for allegedly smuggling heroin and cocaine. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. He appeared at court in Amsterdam today to begin the process of extradition to the UK and he was remanded to appear again on a date to be confirmed. Detective superintendent Zoe Russo from the NWROCU said: "This arrest demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that individuals wanted for serious offences, whether in the UK or abroad, are brought to justice. "We work closely with international law enforcement partners to track down and apprehend fugitives, no matter where they try to hide. The message is clear: if you are wanted, we will find you." Gill Duggan, head of Europe at the NCA said: " The agency has been working extensively with the ROCU and our international partners to trace Coggins and return him to the UK. "It does not matter where fugitives go. The agency's reach and strong relationships with international partners mean we will always tenaciously pursue those wanted by law enforcement." Coggins' brother Vincent, known as "the headmaster" to signify his role at the top of the Huyton Firm organised crime group, was jailed and convicted as part of the NWROCU's probe codenamed "Operation SubZero". Liverpool Echo reports that the arrests of many members of the organised crime syndicate resulted in some of the first EncroChat convictions in the UK.
