Wright arrested in Spain
Brian Wright, the suspected drugs and race-fixing baron who fled trial in Britain, has been arrested on Spain’s Costa del Sol, it was confirmed today.
The 58-year-old was tracked down to the resort of Marbella following his disappearance in 1999 and now faces extradition to the UK.
HM Customs and Excise officers allege he was the head of a plot to bring at least £360m (€518m) of cocaine into Britain in one of the most complex operations ever attempted.
Fifteen other members of the racket have been jailed and trials heard that Wright laundered hundreds of thousands of pounds in corrupt races.
Also known as The Milkman, Wright courted jockeys and celebrities as friends.
“He has been arrested in Spain following an extradition request from British authorities,” said a HM Customs and Excise spokesman.
“Wright is alleged to have been involved in a major drugs smuggling operations and also in race-fixing.”
It is not known how soon the fugitive will be brought back to Britain to stand trial.
Wright was ‘excluded’ by the Jockey Club until at least 2023 after being found guilty of six charges at an inquiry just over two years ago.
Former Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle-winning jockey Graham Bradley was warned off for five years due to his links with Wright while another former rider, Barrie Wright (no relation), was one of four others to also be excluded by racing’s regulators.
John Maxse, of the Jockey Club, said: “Brian Wright is banned from going racing and from liaising with jockeys and trainers.
“There is evidence that he was previously involved in serious incidents that defrauded the betting public, in addition to being linked to other matters of concern to the police.
“It is good news if he is to answer these allegations in a court of law.”
