One of Belgium’s most-wanted drug traffickers, Othman El Ballouti, has been arrested in Dubai, according to a judiciary source. Belgium plans to seek his extradition.
El Ballouti is accused of leading a major drug smuggling network operating through Antwerp, Belgium’s main port and a major hub for drug trafficking in Europe. The United States has also sanctioned him for his alleged activities.
“We secured his arrest and will now work on his extradition,” the Belgian judiciary source said. Belgium and the UAE have had an extradition agreement since 2021, which could facilitate the process.
El Ballouti is connected to several criminal cases, including one involving the tragic death of his 11-year-old niece in Antwerp last year during a shooting. The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on him in 2022, accusing him of running an “international criminal organization” involved in cocaine smuggling and money laundering.
According to the U.S. Treasury, El Ballouti’s group smuggles large amounts of cocaine into Europe through Antwerp’s port. His brother and another associate were also sanctioned for their involvement.
Antwerp’s port remains a hotspot for drug trafficking. In 2022, authorities seized a record 116 tonnes of cocaine, reflecting the scale of the issue in the region.
