KAVANAGH CASE: Gary Vickery arrested at Lanzarote bar just weeks after court no show

WANTED drug importer Gary Vickery (above) has been arrested on Lanzarote just weeks after failing to turn up to a UK court.

Gary Vickery, 38, originally from Dublin, admitted to having a leading role in conspiring to import class A and B drugs and money laundering with Thomas "Bomber" Kavanagh and Daniel Canning in July 2020, but the sentence has been dogged by delays.

These included Vickery and Canning being given unconditional bail allowing them to fly to the Canaries and Ireland respectively.

In July 2021, Vickery failed to attend Ipswich Crown Court where he was due to be remanded in custody, and at the end of July a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He subsequently failed to surrender to the court again at a further hearing on September 27 this year.

He was arrested on Wednesday 20 October at a bar in the town of Yaiza, south of Lanzarote, by officers from the Guardia Civil as part of a joint operation with the NCA.

Officers evidenced Vickery’s (above on Lanzarote) involvement in large scale drug shipments worth from £23 to £30 million at UK street value, as well as movements of cash, with Kavanagh, 53, from Tamworth and Daniel Canning, 42, originally from Dublin.

Kavanagh and Canning are both in custody awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiring to import class A and B drugs and money laundering. Canning also pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition.

NCA Deputy Director Matt Horne said: “Vickery was given ample opportunity to return to the UK following his guilty plea, but has failed to come back on every occasion.

“We will ensure those who cause harm to the UK though organised crime are held accountable, and this case highlights our tenacity.

“I’d like to thank the NCA officers here in the UK, and our international liaison team in Spain, who have worked closely with colleagues in the Guardia Civil to locate Vickery.”

Vickery is due to appear before a Spanish court this morning and extradition proceedings for his return to the UK are now in progress.