Manix Lacatusu

Manix Lacatusu, a 46-year-old man, was arrested in Southampton on 14 January following an international manhunt for his involvement in serious trafficking offences. Wanted by Romanian authorities, Lacatusu had evaded capture for years, living in the UK under multiple aliases. He was apprehended in the Shirley Road area by officers from the National Crime Agency's (NCA) National Extradition Unit.

The offences for which Lacatusu was sought centred on the trafficking and sexual exploitation of two girls in Romania. In 2015, he attempted to transport one of the victims to Italy as part of his exploitative activities. Lacatusu failed to appear at his trial in Gorj County, Romania, leading to a conviction in absentia. In May 2024, a judge in Gorj County sentenced him to 10 years in prison for these crimes.

Following his arrest in Southampton, Lacatusu was held in custody before being transferred to Heathrow Airport on the afternoon of the extradition. There, he was met by Romanian law enforcement officers who escorted him onto a flight to Bucharest. A spokesman from the National Crime Agency stated: 'Lacatusu was taken to Heathrow Airport yesterday afternoon, where he was met by Romanian law enforcement officers and escorted on to a flight to Bucharest.'

Andy Kelly, from the NCA's national extradition unit, commented on the operation: 'Manix Lacatusu was wanted for serious offences in his home country, and thanks to our close working with Romanian partners he was tracked down and will now face justice.' The extradition was the result of collaborative efforts between UK and Romanian authorities, ensuring Lacatusu would serve his sentence in Romania. Romanian officials will determine any further proceedings in the case.

This case highlights the NCA's role in international extraditions, particularly for grave offences involving exploitation. Lacatusu, originally from Romania, had resided in the UK for several years prior to his arrest, underscoring the challenges of tracking fugitives across borders.