Most wanted fugitives Paul Monk and Jayson McDonald arrested in Europe on suspicion of drug trafficking

Paul Monk was watching workmen build his patio when he was arrested

Paul Monk (left) and Jayson McDonald who were featured on the UK's most wanted list, have been captured (PA/National Crime Agency)

Two of the UK’s most wanted fugitives have been arrested in Europe on suspicion of drug trafficking, within 24 hours of each other.

Armed police detained Paul Monk, originally from Romford, Essex, as he oversaw workmen laying out a patio at his luxury villa in the popular Spanish seaside resort of Alicante. He was wanted on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis, amid allegations he was involved in the handover of a kilo of cocaine in north London in May 2013.

An imitation firearm with a silencer and around €125,000 euros in cash was found at the 54-year-old’s home, police said.

Within a 24 hour period, Jayson McDonald, from Acton, West London, was found hiding under a bed in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, according to police. He was arrested as part of a joint investigation with the Dutch National Police.

The 37-year-old had been a fugitive in Spain, but is understood to have moved to the Netherlands after offices raided a property where he was living in the Coin area of Malaga last month.

McDonald was wanted on suspicion of conspiracies to import and supply heroin and cocaine, and is believed to be a member of a Europe-wide organised crime network responsible for the importation of Class A drugs into the UK.

Both men are in custody awaiting extradition proceedings.

Dave Allen, head of the UK International Crime Bureau at the NCA, said: "Nowhere is a safe haven for British fugitives and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners across the world to track them down and return them to the UK to face justice."

The arrests come less than a month after an appeal for information about the men's whereabouts. A total of 68 out of 86 fugitives on the Operation Captura list have now been caught.