Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)
THE DRAMATIC arrest of a British expat at gunpoint has sent shock waves around Sabanillas, the tight-knit community in which the alleged drug dealer lives.
Trevor Moore, 45, was bundled to the floor by police in broad daylight after he was stopped driving through the town last week.
His arrest follows a stakeout at his house, near Casares, which lasted a number of days, during which officers were unable to launch a raid because of the mountainous surrounds.
Moore is wanted in Belgium on charges of drug smuggling and money laundering for the Hell’s Angels. He is expected to be extradited this week.
Residents however spoke of their shock at the arrest of ‘salt of the Earth Trev’.
One said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard he’d been arrested, he was a really nice chap and he just got on with everyone.
“He’d have a laugh in the bar, always stop for a chat in the street.
“He’s the last person in the world you’d expect to be involved in a dodgy gang.”
Another said: “It’s all anyone has been talking about, we’re all so surprised. Nobody really knew what he did, but it’s not the kind of thing that you tend to ask about round here.
“He did a good job of keeping his past a secret, that’s for sure! He was such a nice guy.”
Character
Moore, originally from Solihull, is said to have been living in Sabanillas for at least five years, although the nature of his business there was not clear.
Since his arrival he has settled into local life, and became a well-known character within the community.
His girlfriend of a couple of years, Hazel Rolf, has not been seen since his arrest, and has even taken down her Facebook profile.
Rolf, 42, ran the popular La Barca bar for a couple of years, but sold it on about two years ago. The pair have no children, and were not living together.
Following his arrest, he was taken to a top security prison near Madrid after appearing at a closed door hearing at the National Criminal Court, which handles all extradition cases.
He has been held on a European arrest warrant issued by a court in Belgium.
The document alleges he was involved in smuggling several large consignments of cocaine from Ecuador to Belgium for the Hell’s Angels gang.
Moore is also accused of money laundering and being a member of an organised armed gang.
Spanish police launched an investigation into his whereabouts in June last year after they were informed he could be living in the country.
