A drug trafficker is facing extradition after being arrested in Waltham Forest. 

Shkelzen Zuna, 39, from Berat in Albania, has been on the run from the Italian authorities since 2013 when he was sentenced to 14 years in jail for smuggling heroin over a 10-year period.

He left the country before facing justice and headed for the UK where he is suspected of being involved in an organised crime network based in London and Essex. 

The National Crime Agency (NCA) executed a warrant at his Chingford address on Wednesday afternoon after identifying him through a separate NCA investigation. 

During the raid, they found forged identity documents including a Polish passport in the name of Pawel Malek and a Bulgarian identity card bearing the name Blagor Kolev. 

Extradition proceedings are now underway and Zuna has been remanded in custody following an appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday. 

Zuna is guilty of seven serious drug-related offences in Italy. 

He will next appear in court on December 11 but has asked for the hearing to be put back until New Year's Eve. 

Head of the NCA Fugitives Unit, Dave Allen said: "Zuna’s arrest highlights how effective international partnerships can make life on the run increasingly difficult for criminals. 

"From receiving the European Arrest Warrant from the Italian authorities, the NCA and the Metropolitan Police executed an arrest less than 24 hours later.

"Zuna is now in custody and extradition proceedings are underway to send him back to Italy to face the consequences of his crimes."