A British fugitive wanted in connection with international cocaine smuggling was arrested in Spain on Tuesday, authorities announced.

Simon Dutton, 49, was detained in La Nucia, a town north of Benidorm, according to Spanish police. The arrest came just hours after the launch of a new law enforcement campaign targeting 12 men believed to be hiding along Spain's Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca regions.

Dutton was among Britain's most wanted fugitives and had been linked to international drug trafficking operations involving cocaine. Spanish authorities worked in coordination with British law enforcement to locate and apprehend him.

The arrest is part of a broader effort by international law enforcement agencies to track down British criminals who have fled to popular Spanish coastal areas. These regions have long been known as destinations for fugitives seeking to evade justice in the UK.

Details about the specific charges against Dutton or the scope of the alleged smuggling operation were not immediately available. Spanish authorities indicated the investigation remains ongoing as part of the wider campaign to locate the remaining wanted individuals.