British cage fighter arrested by Dubai Police over UK drug supply charges

Paul Cahoon was extradited to face charges of supplying cocaine and amphetamines

Paul Cahoon was arrested on drug charges in Dubai and extradited to the UK. Photo: Sherdog

A British cage fighter wanted for the supply of drugs has been arrested in Dubai and extradited to the UK.

Paul Cahoon, 47, was wanted for prosecution for conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine. He was arrested on July 11 in the UAE after a co-ordinated response from Dubai Police, Interpol and the National Crime Agency.

The arrest comes after an extradition request from the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service, approved by the UAE Judicial Authorities.

Cahoon, who fought under the moniker ‘Boom Boom’, appeared before Wirral Magistrates’ Court in England on July 12, and was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on August 9, 2024.

He had been wanted by the North West Regional Crime Unit since 2015 concerning a drug conspiracy.

Edward Hobart, British Ambassador to the UAE, said the arrest was the result of co-operation between international law enforcement.

“The British Embassy is extremely grateful to the UAE Judicial authorities for their assistance and co-operation to secure the extradition of Paul Cahoon, and to Dubai Police for securing his arrest and for arranging his surrender to the UK authorities,” he said.

The arrest is the latest crackdown by authorities on international fugitives hiding out in the UAE.

From 2020 to 2022, Dubai Police made 432 arrests related to murder, money laundering and armed robbery, helping extradite 379 wanted people to 30 countries.

A series of raids in November 2022 saw law enforcement in Europe and the UAE combine under Operation Desert Light, making 49 arrests to disrupt drug trafficking infrastructure.