An international manhunt is underway for a Liverpool drug dealer who allegedly ran a £1m drugs gang with his mum and brother.
Joshua Hendry was today named one of the UK's most wanted fugitives as the National Crime Agency revealed he is thought to be hiding in Spain.
Hendry was jailed in his absence following one drugs probe and is wanted in connection with a second investigation that saw his mum and brother locked up.
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Hendry was today named as one of the UK's 12 most wanted men who are thought to be in Spain.
The NCA said: "He is accused of being a member of a Liverpool organised crime gang and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
"It is alleged he trafficked heroin and crack cocaine from Liverpool to Grimsby for onward distribution and controlled the phone line used for this.
"His mother and brother were convicted as part of the conspiracy.
"Hendry is also wanted over a separate drugs conspiracy to supply cocaine in May 2018 for which he was sentenced in his absence to 10 years' imprisonment in March 2019."
Hendry was convicted in his absence of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Grimsby.
The 30-year-old is separately wanted on suspicion of being involved in a plot to send £1.38m of drugs to the town.
It is that investigation that his mum and brother were jailed over in 2020.
Scott Hendry, then 27 and of Warrington, was sentenced to 14 years after being convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.
He was described at Sheffield Crown Court as a crucial part of the drugs operation, along with mum Leslie Aytoun, then 49.
Police said Aytoun, who was arrested in Liverpool, ran the operation with a "graft" phone, taking calls from drug users in Grimsby and directing them where to go to pick up heroin or crack cocaine.
She admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between September 2017 and March 2019 and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Her on-the-run son Joshua fled the UK on a plane to Barcelona.
Previously of Lochinvar Street, Walton, the 6ft 2inch fugitive was said to be known as the "Big Guy". .
He is one of four men with links to Merseyside today named among the UK’s 12 most wanted.
Appealing for details, Steve Rodhouse the NCA’s Director General of Operations said: “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 can contact Crimestoppers, which is running the campaign in conjunction with the NCA and Spanish authorities, on 0800 555 111 or online here.
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