(WNY News Now) – An international manhunt ends in justice as a senior gang leader faces prison for his role in a cross-border drug trafficking network between Scotland and England.

United Kingdom – Colin Wright, 38, a high-ranking member of an organized crime group (OCG) that operated a large-scale amphetamine lab in Scotland and trafficked heroin and cocaine across the UK, was convicted today. Wright, originally from Motherwell and recently residing in Torre Pacheco, Spain, was extradited following his arrest by Spanish authorities at the request of the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).

Wright’s criminal activities spanned from drug production to trafficking, as he coordinated the movement of narcotics from Merseyside to Scotland and back. Arrested in March 2024, he was returned to the UK on October 4, marking the end of his years-long evasion of British law enforcement. His arrest was part of Operation Venetic, a UK-led investigation targeting criminal groups exploiting the encrypted communication platform, EncroChat.

Under the alias “Jack-Nicklaus,” Wright coordinated closely with gang members including Terence and Stephen Earle, who were sentenced earlier this year. Wright directed the setup of a sophisticated amphetamine production lab in Motherwell, which began operations just as the UK entered its first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020. Communications reveal Wright and his associates faced challenges in acquiring necessary solvents for amphetamine production, but they persevered to build a distribution pipeline for heroin and cocaine.

The NCA, working with international law enforcement, seized various high-value items from Wright’s Spanish residence, linking him further to large-scale criminal activities. Wright pleaded guilty to five drug-related charges at Liverpool Crown Court and is scheduled for sentencing on November 25.

Jon Sayers, NCA Branch Commander, stated: “Colin Wright was an integral member of this high harm criminal organisation, which posed a serious danger to communities across Scotland and Merseyside.

“The drugs they trafficked would have fuelled violence and exploitation in these areas, so bringing this criminal group to justice has helped protect the public.

“Wright’s case also shows that there is nowhere to hide for criminals who seek to avoid arrest by living overseas, as the NCA has the international scope to find you and make you pay for your crimes.”