The Dubai Police announced Sunday the extradition of three Belgian nationals wanted for serious organized crime offenses, including drug trafficking and human trafficking.
The suspects face a long list of serious charges, including leading a criminal organization, trafficking narcotics and psychotropic substances, armed robbery, and human trafficking © X
The Dubai Police announced Sunday the extradition of three Belgian nationals wanted for serious organized crime offenses, including drug trafficking and human trafficking.
The move follows the execution of Interpol red notices and highlights growing international cooperation against transnational crime.
Among those extradited is Othman El Ballouti, a high-profile figure described by Belgian authorities as one of the country’s most wanted drug traffickers.
His name appeared alongside Mathias Akyazili and Giorgi Faes in an official statement released by the Dubai Police, which confirmed all three men are being sent back to Belgium to face justice.
According to the statement, the suspects face a long list of serious charges, including leading a criminal organization, trafficking narcotics and psychotropic substances, armed robbery, and human trafficking.
“These individuals were apprehended based on active Interpol red notices and their extradition reflects the close collaboration between Dubai Police and international law enforcement agencies,” the statement said, relayed by the Dubai Government Media Office.
The arrests are part of a broader effort to crack down on transnational crime networks operating out of the Gulf.
Dubai, often praised for its security and pro-business climate, has in recent years drawn criticism for becoming a haven for wanted criminals — particularly after the 2019 dismantling of Sky ECC, an encrypted communication platform widely used by drug cartels across Europe.
Authorities believe several figures tied to the European drug trade fled to Dubai following the Sky ECC crackdown — a joint operation led by Belgian, Dutch, and French police forces.
The extradition was carried out under the bilateral extradition agreement signed between Belgium and the United Arab Emirates in 2021. The first extradition under this deal occurred in December 2023 and involved an Albanian national linked to drug trafficking.
With this latest operation, law enforcement agencies hope to send a clear message: the Gulf is no longer a safe haven for international fugitives.
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