The Emirati police confirmed this Monday, December 9, the arrest in Dubai of Othman El Ballouti, one of the most wanted Belgian drug lords in the world. The arrest of the man of Moroccan origin follows an intense manhunt carried out jointly by the Belgian authorities and Interpol.
El Ballouti, targeted by a red notice for his involvement in transnational organized crime, is accused of pulling the strings of a vast drug smuggling network operating from the port of Antwerp. The latter, a real gateway for drugs into Europe, serves as a hub for the transport of cocaine to the continent.
Read: Drug lord of Moroccan origin arrested in Dubai
The American authorities, who suspect him of money laundering, also have El Ballouti in their sights. The man has been the subject of sanctions across the Atlantic since last year, just like his younger brother and one of his associates.
Brussels has already taken steps to ensure that the trafficker is repatriated to Belgium, where he will have to answer for his actions before the courts. The Moroccan faces numerous cases including a conviction in absentia.
El Ballouti’s arrest was made possible thanks to the cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, which signed an extradition agreement with Belgium in 2021. The Dubai Public Prosecutor’s Office has started legal proceedings related to his extradition.
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