A Liverpool man has been arrested in Colombia in a drugs and firearms probe.
The National Crime Agency confirmed that Liam O’Brien was one of two British nationals detained in Medellin on Wednesday (November 12).
O’Brien, from West Derby, and Wallsend native Robert Taylor were both found at a property in the South American country’s second largest city.
He will face charges of conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, MDMA and cannabis as well as conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to transfer a prohibited weapon.
The 41-year-old is also accused of money laundering and perverting the course of justice.
Both O’Brien and Taylor were caught as part of Operation Venetic, a NCA-led response to the takedown of encrypted messaging platform EncroChat.
Rick Jones, NCA deputy director of International, said: “We’re immensely grateful to Colombia’s National Police for their work to help trace and locate these men and take them into custody.
“These arrests continue to show the NCA’s global reach, its close partnerships with both UK and international police forces and our unwavering determination to ensure UK fugitives are returned to face justice.
“Other fugitives should do the right thing and hand themselves in because we will do everything possible with partners at home and abroad to find them.”