Video: DC Dale Baldry talks about missing Omer
A Nottingham criminal who was a ‘leading member’ of a network responsible for flooding the UK with drugs is thought to have fled to the Netherlands.
Ahmed Omer went on the run during his trial in November and was convicted in his absence of trafficking hauls of amphetamine and cannabis around the country.
The National Crime Agency has put him on a ‘most wanted’ list and now say he is believed to have escaped the country.
He is being hunted as part of the agency’s ‘Operation Return’ – targeting fugitives thought to be in or around Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Launched in March 2010, it has so far led to the arrest of 10 out of 14 wanted criminals.
Dave Allen, Head of the International Crime Bureau at the National Crime Agency, said: “We will pursue fugitives relentlessly. Those who believe they can use the Netherlands to evade justice or continue illegal activities soon find out that it is not a safe haven.
“In the last five years more than 100 fugitives have been captured in the Netherlands and brought back to the UK to face justice.
“Be our extra eyes and ears and let us know if you have any information on the whereabouts of our targets.”
Omer’s trial went ahead without him after he disappeared and he was sentenced to ten years in prison.
After uncovering his network, which included links to Birmingham and London, police seized £29,000, 49 kilos of cannabis, 24 kilos of cannabis resin and four kilos of amphetamine.
Omer is a British national described as being of Middle Eastern appearance, 5ft 7ins tall and with brown eyes and short black, greying hair.
He is known to use different variations of his full name, Ahmed Dervish Omer.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
