One of the UK’s most wanted fugitives has been arrested in connection with a murder and attempted murder in Tameside nearly four years ago.

Callum Halpin was detained by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) in Portugal on Monday.

The 27-year-old is wanted by Greater Manchester Police for the murder of drug dealer Luke Graham, 31, and the attempted murder of Anton Verigotta.

Graham, a father-of-two, was ambushed and shot dead in a drugs turf war on a street in Ashton-under-Lyne as children played nearby in June 2018.

Five men were jailed in July 2019 over the execution.

Halpin, of Openshaw, Manchester, was first named a suspect in 2018 and earlier this year the NCA added him to the UK’s ‘Most Wanted’ list.

He appeared in court in Portugal on Wednesday and was remanded in custody while the extradition process proceeds.

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Detective Inspector Lee Barrow, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “News of Callum Halpin’s arrest is an important development in our investigation and we will work closely with the NCA and other relevant international agencies to bring him back to Greater Manchester and continue our pursuit of justice for Luke’s family.

“Halpin has been on the run since Luke was fatally shot on that tragic day nearly four years ago and it has been our intention ever since to ensure all those suspected of being responsible for his death are caught and prosecuted.

Steve Reynolds, National Crime Agency regional manager in Spain, said: “Callum Halpin’s arrest was made possible after some superb partnership work between the NCA and our Portuguese counterparts to whom we are extremely grateful.

“Halpin’s arrest comes only 48 hours after another fugitive was arrested in Portugal.

“These arrests should serve as a warning to other fugitives and most wanted subjects that we will not stop until they are captured.”

Alex Male, 29, was detained at Lisbon Airport on Saturday after landing on a flight from Turkey.

Male, of Weston-super-Mare, went on the run following his arrest by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

He is believed to have used encrypted communications platform EncroChat to distribute class A drugs across the South West.

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