.png)
Encrochat fugitive bodybuilder Clinton Blakey who absconded after being bailed arrested in Spain
A BODYBUILDER who absconded after being bailed during the UK's biggest ever operation against organised crime groups has been arrested in Spain.
Tattooed muscleman Clinton Blakey, 36, (above) from Leeds, was wanted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) for a year.
after he failed to attend a Leeds Magistrates' Court hearing after being released on conditional bail.
He had been charged in relation to a Glock semi-automatic pistol, a Howa bolt-action rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition.
They were seized at a property on Stainbeck Lane, Leeds, occupied by former Leeds United footballer Paul Shepherd, 43, who was convicted of possessing the guns and ammunition in June and awaits sentencing.
After Blakey's no show at Leeds Magistrates Court, the NCA issued a public appeal and an international warrant for his arrest.
ARRESTED: The beefcake was on the run for a year (NCA)
On Thursday, September 30, with the support of the Spanish National Police, he was located and arrested in Madrid, Spain.
Blakey’s original arrest followed on from Shepherd’s and was part of Operation Venetic - the UK law enforcement response to the takedown of encrypted communications platform EncroChat.
He appeared before a Spanish Court earlier this week where proceedings for his extradition back to the UK began.
NCA Operations Manager, Nigel Coles, said: “Our team in the UK worked closely with our international liaison officer network and Spanish police to track Blakey down, leading to his re-arrest.
"Illegal firearms are used by criminals to threaten, intimidate, and destroy lives. No matter the lengths we need to go to, we never stop working to bring suspected firearms traffickers to account."
Venetic triggered a number of arrests across West Yorkshire, Merseyside and the North East.
PROUD: Clinton posing with a car that would make Batman green with envy (Facebook)
One of these was Gerard Wignall, 33, from Merseyside, who was sentenced to 16 months in prison after his DNA was found on the rifle in Shepherd’s house.
Two further men, Carl O’Flaherty, 36, and Shane Kameka, 40, also from Leeds, were arrested for their involvement.
O’Flaherty awaits sentencing and in July Kameka received a five month sentence for his part in arranging transport of the firearms.
An additional man from Durham, Darryl Hall, 36, was arrested, charged, and is due to stand trial next year.
Blakey was suspected of facilitating the transport of firearms and ammunition from Liverpool to Leeds where they were then stored by Shepherd.
He appeared before a Spanish Court earlier this week where proceedings for his extradition back to the UK began.