The extradition of British fugitive Benjamin Leslie May marks the end of a calculated flight from justice that stretched across borders and continents, culminating in his quiet removal from Cape Town under heavy official scrutiny. After years of evading authorities, May was deported late on Thursday night through Cape Town International Airport, returning to the United Kingdom to face serious drug trafficking charges that have long awaited him.
South African prosecutors framed the extradition as a decisive assertion of the rule of law, particularly in cases where international fugitives attempt to exploit jurisdictional distance. The operation followed a sustained legal process anchored in cooperation between South African authorities and their British counterparts, reinforcing the message that South Africa will not serve as a sanctuary for those fleeing criminal accountability abroad.
State Secures Firm Victory Against Bail
The National Prosecuting Authority successfully opposed May’s bail application, a move that proved decisive in preventing another potential disappearance. The Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Advocate Nicolette Bell, welcomed the outcome, describing the extradition as a clear demonstration of prosecutorial resolve in cases involving organised crime and international fugitives.
According to the NPA, the bail opposition centred on May’s history of evasion, deception and access to resources that would enable further flight. Prosecutors argued that conventional bail conditions would be ineffective, given his proven ability to cross borders undetected and sustain himself while avoiding law enforcement.
United Kingdom Charges Drive Extradition
Eric Ntabazalila, Regional Communications Manager for the NPA, confirmed that May is wanted in the United Kingdom for dealing in Class A drugs, specifically cocaine. The request for extradition was submitted under the European Convention on Extradition and was received by the Office of the Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions in February last year.
The request followed a warrant of arrest issued by District Judge David Webster at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on September 26 2023. British authorities allege that May played a central role in a cocaine distribution conspiracy spanning several months and involving multiple co accused who have since been arrested and sentenced.
Encrypted Messages And A Trail Of Cocaine
Investigators allege that May was a key user of encrypted EncroChat devices, operating under the handles “illusive bone” and “splitcactus”, which were used to arrange cocaine distribution across the United Kingdom, including South Wales. The encrypted communications are said to have been instrumental in coordinating logistics and managing risk within the criminal network.
The NPA detailed that a drug courier was arrested in June 2020 while transporting large quantities of cocaine, with May’s fingerprints recovered from one of the bags. Following the arrest, messages attributed to May referenced the incident and indicated his intention to flee, a plan that was swiftly carried out.
Flight From Europe To The Cape
According to prosecutors, May fled the United Kingdom on June 7 2020, travelling by train through the Eurotunnel before reaching France. From there, he eventually made his way to Cape Town, where he lived while remaining a fugitive from British justice.
South African authorities later uncovered that May had used irregular methods to remain in the country, including manipulating passport documentation. His passport expired in August 2024, and evidence presented in court suggested deliberate attempts to obscure his movements and legal status.
Court Rejects Claims Of Compliance
During bail proceedings, Senior State Advocate Maresa Engelbrecht argued that May had demonstrated a consistent pattern of defying law enforcement and court processes. The State presented information from British authorities indicating that he had previously failed to surrender to police and had continued criminal activity while on bail.
Ntabazalila told the court that May’s financial means and criminal connections made him a significant flight risk. The court ultimately agreed, denying bail in May 2025 and paving the way for his extradition.
Warning To International Fugitives
The case has been framed by prosecutors as a cautionary example to international fugitives seeking refuge in South Africa. Authorities stressed that cross border cooperation and intelligence sharing are increasingly effective in tracking and returning individuals accused of serious crimes.
As May now faces the British justice system, the NPA maintains that the matter reflects South Africa’s commitment to international legal obligations and its refusal to tolerate the presence of organised crime figures operating beyond the reach of accountability.
“There is a strong likelihood that he will flee to avoid extradition to the United Kingdom. It is submitted that it is not in the interests of justice to grant the applicant bail.”
