A man accused of being one of Europe's most prolific hackers has been arrested and extradited from Argentina. He faces a possible jail term of 40 years if convicted.

José Manuel García Rodríguez was arrested in July 2005 in Carcarañá, Argentina, where he was known to inhabitants as El Gordo España, or The Fat Spaniard.

García Rodríguez arrived on Friday at Madrid's Barajas airport on a flight from Buenos Aires accompanied by two Interpol officers.

"García Rodríguez is accused of being Spain's biggest ever hacker, and could face a sentence of up to 40 years in prison if the charges against him are proven," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

"It is encouraging to see the international authorities working closely together across continents to bring [alleged] computer criminals to justice."

García Rodríguez, 24, who is said to have used the pseudonym 'Tasmania' in hacking circles, fled Spain two years ago having been accused of stealing online banking passwords and breaking into accounts.

Nine international arrest warrants have been issued for his detention.