A British man accused of cocaine trafficking has been extradited from Cape Town after local prosecutors successfully opposed his release on bail.
Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Nicolette Bell, confirmed the extradition of Benjamin Leslie May, who had been living in Cape Town after allegedly fleeing the United Kingdom to avoid prosecution on serious drug charges.
UK authorities are seeking May in connection with two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine, between 2019 and 2020. A warrant for his arrest was issued by Cardiff Magistrates’ Court in September 2023, and a formal extradition request was later sent to South Africa.
May was arrested in Cape Town in February 2025 and appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court. During bail proceedings, the State argued that he posed a significant flight risk and had used irregular means to remain in South Africa, including passport-related issues. Prosecutors also said he had previously evaded law enforcement and had the means to do so again.
Investigators in the UK linked May to encrypted EncroChat messages used to coordinate the distribution of cocaine. His fingerprints were allegedly found on a bag containing cocaine after a courier transporting 12 kilograms of the drug was arrested. It is also alleged that May was involved in moving large amounts of cash generated by drug sales.
The court denied him bail in May 2025, agreeing with the State that it was not in the interests of justice to release him while extradition proceedings were underway.
May was extradited from Cape Town this week and will now stand trial in the United Kingdom.
