Suspected gang boss, 33, is extradited from the UAE on drugs and guns charges three years after he left Britain for Dubai
- Leon Cullen, 33, appears in court after extradition from the United Arab Emirates
- He is suspected of being the head of a crime group supplying firearms and drugs
- He was remanded in custody until March 22 after appearing in court yesterday
The suspected boss of a gang has been extradited from the United Arab Emirates on drugs and guns charges three years after leaving Britain for Dubai.
Leon Cullen, 33, was arrested in Dubai in January and brought back to the UK by National Extradition Unit officers on Friday.
Yesterday he appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court in connection with a number of offences including conspiracies to supply firearms, ammunition and class A drugs.
Cullen, from Warrington, has been remanded in custody until his next appearance at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday 22 March.
Leon Cullen was extradited to the UK from the UAE as he’s suspected of being the head of a crime group supplying firearms and drugs
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Burton, from Cheshire Constabulary, said: ‘We would like to take this opportunity to thank the UAE authorities, and all those involved, for their hard work and commitment to bring Cullen back to the UK.’
Deputy Director Tom Dowdall, head of NCA International, said: ‘Leon Cullen believed he could evade capture by fleeing to Dubai.
‘However, working with our partners in the UK and the United Arab Emirates, we were able to locate and apprehend him so he could be returned to the UK.
‘This type of global law enforcement cooperation has never been more important to tackling serious and organised crime affecting the UK and I would like to thank the UAE authorities for all their work which led to Cullen’s arrest and extradition.
‘Our network of international liaison officers operate across the world and we will continue to work with our policing partners to pursue wanted individuals and ensure nowhere is a safe haven.’
Cullen was arrested as a result of a joint operation carried out by Cheshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, the National Crime Agency, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), Interpol and police authorities in the UAE, assisted by the CPS to secure his successful extradition to the UK.
