A man wanted in connection with the discovery of drugs in Kent has been named in a new appeal to trace and bring to justice 12 UK fugitives.

Scot James ‘Jamie’ Stevenson, 56, has been named as one of the dozen who are on the run and thought to be hiding in Spain.

He is wanted by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Police Scotland over the seizure of about one tonne of cocaine and 28 million Etizolam ‘street Valium’ tablets.

The cocaine was found in a shipment at the Port of Dover in September 2020 and the tablets were seized following a raid on a suspected pill factory in the Rochester area in June 2020.

Stevenson, who is stocky and has a scar on the left side of his face, is also wanted in connection with two suspected arson attacks on properties in the Lanarkshire and Forth Valley areas in May 2020.

He has connections in Spain, including in Barcelona and Alicante

NCA regional head of investigation for Scotland, Gerry McLean said: "Stevenson is one of Scotland’s most wanted fugitives.

"He knows we are looking for him in connection with organised crime on both sides of the border.

"The NCA and Police Scotland will not rest until he is captured.

"Anyone who is helping him stay on the run will be targeted too."

Stevenson, whose last known address was in Rutherglen, Glasgow, is white, around 5ft 9in and has grey hair.

Members of the public should not approach Stevenson directly but instead are urged to contact the authorities.

'He knows we are looking for him in connection with organised crime on both sides of the border...'

The NCA’s Most Wanted campaign is being run in conjunction with independent charity CrimeStoppers, Spanish law enforcement, UK policing and comes on the back of the extremely successful Operation Captura fugitives campaign, which resulted in the arrests of 86 offenders.

Spain is one of the most popular countries for British ex-pats and the two nations have a very strong law enforcement partnership.

The other 11 offenders are wanted for crimes including murder, large scale drugs trafficking and supplying firearms and ammunition. They all have connections to mainland Spain and the Canary Islands.

Steve Rodhouse, the NCA’s Director General of Operations, said: "Spain is not a safe haven.

"We have a brilliant relationship with the country’s various law enforcement agencies and work together daily to protect the public.

"With 86 offenders arrested in our last fugitives campaign, criminals know we will never give up and we’re never far behind them.

"Fugitives usually continue offending while on the run and these men will be known in criminal circles wherever they are.

"The last thing the fugitives’ associates will want is the combined determination and capabilities of the UK and Spanish law enforcement focusing on them.

"Many of these fugitives will be trying to blend in to the large British communities who have made their homes in Spain, and if you are resident, you may know one of them from your town or village.

"Loyalties change over time and we urge anyone with information about these men to help us find them."

Anyone with information about one of the Most Wanted is urged to call CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, and callers in Spain should call the freephone Spanish number 900 926 111, which will be answered by CrimeStoppers in the UK (using translation if required).

Alternatively, members of the public can fill out an anonymous online form at the UK charity’s website by clicking here.