Essex Drug Lord Nabbed in Thai Garage After 6 Years on the Run!
Richard Wakeling’s Daring Escape Ends
Richard Wakeling, 55, from Brentwood, Essex, vanished on the eve of his 12-week trial in January 2018. The drug kingpin fled the UK just as he faced charges for trying to smuggle £8 million worth of liquid amphetamine in 2016. Convicted in his absence, Wakeling was sentenced to 11 years behind bars at Chelmsford Crown Court in April 2018.
On the Most Wanted List – Caught in Bangkok
Wakeling, who has a prosthetic lower right leg, made the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Most Wanted list as officials sought help tracking him down. Yesterday, Royal Thai Police arrested him at a Bangkok garage while he was retrieving his repaired car—carrying a fake passport under another name.
He had been hiding out in the coastal town of Hua Hin but is now in custody, with extradition proceedings already underway.
NCA Thanks Global Partners for Capture
David Coyle, NCA’s regional manager for Thailand, said: “The NCA has worked relentlessly to trace Wakeling and ensure he returns to the UK to serve his prison sentence. I thank the prosecutors of the Attorney General’s office, the Royal Thai Police and the Commissioner of the Central Investigations Bureau for their extensive work helping us identify and arrest Wakeling.
“This is another example of an offender being caught thanks to the NCA’s global reach and strong international partnerships.”
The Drug Empire Sting
The investigation into Wakeling’s crime ring began after Border Force stopped a truck boarding a Channel Tunnel train in April 2016. The vehicle was loaded with plastic drums concealing liquid amphetamine worth millions. The driver, transporting furniture from Italy, was caught after phone data revealed he diverted to Belgium to pick up the drugs.
Wakeling masterminded the entire operation, liaising with Dutch suppliers and coordinating UK contacts. Officers believe his gang handled at least six similar import plots before the big bust.
Jacque Beer, NCA head of investigations, added: “Wakeling’s arrest is the result of extensive worldwide enquiries, including links to Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, Spain, and Thailand. Public tips from media and Crimewatch appeals were key to putting him behind bars.”
