The fugitive, who was serving a nine-year sentence for belonging to a criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, escaped last March during a prison leave. The gang transported large quantities of hashish from Morocco using powerful boats, landing on the Mediterranean coast, and later distributed the drugs throughout Spain by van.

After his escape, the man had been hiding at his mother's house in Santa Cristina d'Aro, in Baix Empordà, for months. His financial needs led him to accept work from a construction contractor who did not verify his identity or documentation, paying him in undeclared cash.

The Fugitive Active Research Group (GRAF) of the Mossos d'Esquadra launched an investigation that culminated last Wednesday with his arrest in Girona. The man was attempting to flee to France in his mother's vehicle.

He is charged with a crime of breaking a sentence. After appearing in court, he has been returned to the Puig de les Basses Penitentiary Center to continue serving his sentence.