DUBAI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Wednesday hailed Dubai authorities for their role in returning one of Britain's "most wanted tax fugitives."
Geoffrey Johnson was allegedly involved in complex fraud in the UK, including the theft of more than 800 million dirham (218 million dollars) and laundering of more than six billion dirham (1.63 million dollars).
He was deported from the UAE last week after the authorities caught him travelling to the country from Kenya on a false passport, UAE state news agency WAM reported.
Steve Baker, Regional Manager of the UK's Fiscal Crime Liaison Network, said "Tackling trans-national crime requires a cohesive international response, and this result demonstrates cooperation at its best."
The UAE does not levy income tax, and the oil-rich Gulf state is one of the UK's closest political and economic partners in the Middle East.
Johnson had been on the run since 2014. Baker said the fugitive believed he could illegally enter Dubai from Kenya to evade capture.
Johnson will now face over 24 years in prison for committing "serious crimes," said Baker.
