A suspected drug smuggler wanted by a court has been arrested in Spain.

The man, who has not been named, is wanted in connection with the seizure of more than three and a half tonnes of cannabis resin worth £4.6 million.

A court in St Albans issued an arrest warrant in November last year for a class B drugs trafficking offence, punishable by a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

The 56 year old was held on a European Arrest Warrant at his home in the white-washed village of Sedella, Malaga, Spanish national police said in a statement today.

A police statement read: “Police have arrested a 56-year-old British man on foot of a European Arrest Warrant for drugs trafficking.

“He was held after being tracked down to his home in Sedella.

“The arrest warrant states that in October 2014, the British police seized 3.7 tonnes of cannabis resin hidden in a lorry travelling from Malaga to Essex.

“The detainee allegedly formed part of the organisation behind it and hired the vehicle."

On October 10, 3.69 tonnes of cannabis resin was seized from the trailer of a lorry at Temple Wood Industrial Estate in Essex. It had travelled from Malaga, Spain, and the drugs were found concealed in 187 boxes hidden behind low-quality furniture. Police investigations revealed there had been 10 previous deliveries to the site.

Eight members of the gang, also caught with cocaine worth around £600,000 in two seizures, were sentenced to a total of 68 years and seven months at St Albans Crown Court in July, 2016.

The alleged drugs gang member is in custody in Madrid after appearing before an extradition judge.