Fugitive Drug Kingpin Michael Moogan Nabbed After Eight Years on the Run
The National Crime Agency (NCA) finally caught Michael Paul Moogan, one of the UK’s most wanted men, ending his eight-year flight from justice.
Drug Den Raid Sparks International Manhunt
Moogan, 37, from Croxteth, Liverpool, vanished after a 2013 raid on Café de Ketel in Rotterdam—a secretive drug cartel hub accessible only through a security system and limited to known criminals.
The NCA, collaborating with the Dutch National Crime Squad, uncovered Moogan’s role in masterminding the import of hundreds of kilos of cocaine into the UK every month.
Network of Criminals and High-Stakes Cocaine Deals
- Moogan funded cocaine shipments from South America with lump-sum payments up to €500,000, avoiding instalments common in drug trafficking.
- He used Iraqi nationals in the UK to transfer payments and bribed port officials to slip drugs through.
- Cocaine was concealed inside meat imported from Argentina.
- Moogan’s transport routes spanned Europe—from Bulgaria and Latvia to Spain and Belgium—before reaching UK shores.
Other Key Figures Arrested
Two other Brits linked to the operation faced justice too:
- Robert Hamilton, 71, from Hale, Greater Manchester, caught at the 2013 raid and jailed for eight years.
- Robert Gerard, 57, from Liverpool, surrendered in 2016 under pressure, jailed for 14 years in 2017.
High-Tech Hunt Ends in Dubai Arrest
Moogan slipped through the net for years, using multiple false identities—including a German passport and driver’s licence under the name Michael Dier with his own photo. He tried avoiding Dubai’s CCTV but couldn’t escape the police’s cutting-edge tracking tech.
Dubai Police arrested him in April 2021. Moogan became the 86th fugitive captured under Operation Captura, a global NCA campaign run with Crimestoppers.
Moogan Faces Justice—And Shows No Fight
NCA Senior Investigating Officer Ben Rutter said: “Moogan did everything he could to avoid this day but justice has finally caught up with him. He was a major figure in international drug dealing. His consignments of Class A drugs brought misery and real harm to UK communities.”
“His long-overdue jailing is the result of years of hard work by NCA and law enforcement partners across the UK, Europe, and Middle East. We thank Dubai Police especially for their excellent help tracking Moogan.”
“Fugitives should take note—there’s no safe haven. The NCA has global reach and never stops hunting.”
After extradition, Moogan told arresting officers: “You’re not going to have any trouble from me. I’m tired now. Get me up to Manny and get me in Cat A. I’m done now.”
In November, Moogan admitted conspiring to import Class A drugs at Manchester Crown Court. He was sentenced recently. Without his guilty plea and mitigation, he faced 20 years behind bars.
