NPA welcomes extradition of fugitive wanted for drug dealing in UK

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Western Cape on Friday welcomed the extradition of a British fugitive wanted on drug dealing charges in the United Kingdom.

Benjamin Leslie May was arrested in Cape Town last year after fleeing his country in June 2020.

May was wanted in the UK for allegedly peddling cocaine between north England and London.

Six of his co-accused were arrested and sentenced.

In 2023, South Africa received a formal request for May's extradition.

May evaded arrest by taking a train to France, then flying to Cape Town. On 17 February 2025, the Cape Town Magistrates Court issued a warrant for his arrest.

He was arrested by police the next day and appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates Court.

His bail was denied and he was held at Pollsmoor Prison until his deportation on Thursday night.