THIS is the shocking moment cops tackled an alleged Brit “drugs baron” in front of horrified onlookers in Benidorm.
Paul Brown, 50, was handcuffed and wrestled to the ground by plain-clothed officers as he left his holiday accommodation.
The alleged drug trafficker stepped out of his hotel in a typical tourist attire of a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops before he got arrested.
Spanish police released footage showing the suspected kingpin being forced to the ground as officers handcuffed him.
Brown’s footwear came off during the scuffle as he appeared to resist and four officers were seen grabbing and restraining him.
Amid the chaos, one British pensioner was caught off guard and could be heard saying: “What’s going on? I’m 72 years old.”
Another panic-stricken female holidaymaker screamed: “Oh my god, what, why? Please tell me why?”
Her plea for explanation was met with a half-answer from police about what was going on.
A detective then told one of the officers in Spanish: “Tell them why” as the fugitive was led away.
Brown was then escorted to the police car and taken to a Benidorm police station for fingerprinting and processing.
He stands accused of selling strong, illegal drugs such as cocaine, ketamine and amphetamines.
The arrest in the popular Costa Blanca resort happened last month, but the footage wasn’t released until today.
The 50-year-old, from Manchester, has allegedly been eluding arrest for four years.
A European Arrest Warrant was issued for the wanted Brit in 2022 – two years after an appeal to trace him.
Detective Inspector Rick Castley from Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Organised Crime Group said after his arrest: “Brown stands accused of a significant drugs supply conspiracy, and our determination to locate him has not faltered over the years.
“I would like to thank our colleagues at the National Crime Agency and Spanish law enforcement for supporting us in our relentless pursuit to find Brown.
“Brown may have been outstanding for four years now, but we didn’t forget about him.
“Working with specialist resources and our international partners, we will continue to make sure wanted suspects live life always looking over their shoulder.”
Brown is believed to be in prison in Spain as he awaits his extradition to the UK where he might face a life sentence.
Spanish police said Brown is accused of distributing cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines and ketamine in Manchester.
