'Most wanted' fugitive Paul Monk's extradition put on hold over Spanish kidnap and murder investigation of British man Francis Brennan

Monk was arrested last week at his villa in Alicante and had been wanted on drug trafficking offenses

'Most Wanted' Paul Monk as he is arrested at his luxury villa in Alicante (YouTube)

Paul Monk, one of the UK’s most wanted fugitives arrested last week at his villa in Alicante in a dramatic police operation, is having his extradition to the UK postponed while Spanish police investigate alleged links to the kidnap and murder of a British man, the National Crime Agency has revealed.

Monk, 54, was arrested on alleged drug trafficking offences by Spain’s Civil Guardia as he oversaw workmen laying a marble patio around the swimming pool of his luxury villa in Alicante.

Dramatic footage of the arrest, which shows armed officers swooping in on the property and discovering an imitation firearm and bundles of cash worth £90,000 was released by police today.

He is also alleged to be linked to the seizure of more than 50lb (23kg) of herbal cannabis and 2.2lb (1kg) of cannabis resin in October 2013 in Colchester, Essex, according to police.

But Monk’s extradition to the UK is being postponed in connection with the investigation into the kidnap and murder of 25-year-old Francis Brennan from Liverpool.

Brennan’s body was discovered in a heavily-taped plastic bag on Zenia Beach in Orihuela in March 2014, three months after he went missing. He is understood to have been kidnapped in Alicante by three men disguised as police officers.

Spanish police are now investigating Monk’s alleged links to the murder and believe he was an associate of Paul Scott, who police also wish to question in connection Mr Brennan’s kidnap and murder.

The National Crime Agency and Merseyside Police have been supporting the Guardia Civil-led investigation.

Scott was arrested in December last year when he entered the UK in a light aircraft, landing on a remote rural airstrip in Norfolk.

The National Crime Agency said Scott was part of a 26-strong organised crime network which plotted to smuggle up to 40 tonnes of drugs into the UK. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine and was sentenced to 14 years at Liverpool Crown Court in January.

He is now facing extradition proceedings in July to face questions over Mr Brennan's murder.

Additional reporting by PA