British fugitive is sent back to UK prison after being caught in Marbella accused of running guns for gang that included ex-Leeds United star
- Clinton Blakey fled the UK in 2020, was caught in Madrid in 2021 and fled again
- His initial arrest followed that of former Leeds full-back Paul Shepherd in 2020
A fugitive from Leeds wanted for trafficking guns and ammunition has been charged with drug offences and sent to prison after he was arrested in Spain.
Clinton Blakey, 38, was arrested in Marbella on May 17 and extradited back to the UK Thursday with a team from the National Crime Agency’s Joint International Crime Centre.
Blakey has been on the run for three years, since failing to turn up to court in Leeds in 2020, allegedly connected to a Howa rifle and 200 rounds seized at a Leeds house that year. He was arrested in Madrid a year later, but fled once again when on bail.
His initial arrest followed that of former Leeds United player Paul Shepherd, who awaits sentencing after he was convicted of storing the weapons.
Blakey is suspected of being affiliated with an organised crime group involved in moving weapons and ammunition from Liverpool to Leeds.
Clinton Blakey (pictured) was charged at Leeds Magistrates Court on Friday with drug offences
On Friday, Blakey was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs at Leeds Magistrates Court.
He will serve the remainder of an eight-year sentence for a separate drugs charge.
Nigel Coles, NCA Operations Manager, said: ‘Blakey was arrested after an intelligence led operation between the NCA and Spanish National Police Organised Crime Fugitive Team.
‘Following an intense period of research and surveillance he was detained in a vehicle in Marbella and transported back to the UK.
‘Firearms and the supply of Class A drugs are inextricably linked and are often the cause of violence and exploitation in communities.
‘Ensuring they are taken out of circulation and those associated with their use face the consequences of their actions are crucial to our work protecting the public.’
The arrests of Blakey and Shepherd prompted Operation Venetic, a wider effort across Merseyside, West Yorkshire and the North East in response to the takedown of communications platform EncroChat.
Paul Shepherd, who made one first-team appearance as a full-back for Leeds United in 1996, was charged by the NCA in April 2020 with firearms offences.
The NCA launched an investigation when an encrypted Encro phone and drugs were found at his home.
A Glock semi-automatic pistol was retrieved from his residence, along with a Howa bolt-action rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition.
Messages on the encrypted device found led to further arrests and seizures across the north of England.
Paul Shepherd (pictured) was arrested after weapons and ammunition were seized from his home
In June 2021, Shepherd was found guilty of four charges relating to possessing a firearm and Class A drugs.
As a footballer, he made one first-team appearance for Leeds United between 1995 and 1999, with spells on loan at Ayr United and Tranmere Rovers.
Shepherd also made three appearances for England U20 in 1997, scoring one goal.
Representing England, he called up for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.
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