Antwerp Drug Baron Extradited to Belgium from UAE

• Othman El Ballouti has been extradited from UAE to Belgium.
• He was sentenced in absentia to seven years for drug trafficking.
• El Ballouti was linked to an 11-tonne cocaine shipment seized in 2021.
• His arrest was made possible by intelligence from the Sky ECC operation.
• He is related to Firdaous, a young girl killed in a shooting in Antwerp.

Significant Extradition of Notorious Drug Baron

Antwerp drug baron Othman El Ballouti, infamous for his role in the Belgian narcotics trade, has been extradited back to Belgium from the United Arab Emirates. The extradition happened on Sunday, along with two other fugitives, marking a significant move in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Belgium. The three men are now incarcerated in a Belgian prison, where they face serious charges related to their criminal activities.

Arrest Linked to Major Drug Investigations

El Ballouti, 37, was apprehended in Dubai late last year and is considered a key player in Antwerp’s drug trafficking scene. He was sentenced in absentia to seven years in Belgium for a massive cocaine trafficking case involving 840 kilograms. This is a staggering amount, and it gets worse; he is also suspected of being involved in an even larger shipment of 11 tons that was seized back in 2021. Authorities had decoded communications through the messaging service Sky ECC, which proved pivotal in uncovering extensive drug networks, including those tied to Antwerp traffickers.

Connections to Local Tragedy and Further Criminal Links

Furthermore, El Ballouti is notably connected to tragic events that have impacted the Antwerp community; he is the uncle of Firdaous, an 11-year-old who was tragically killed in a shooting incident earlier this year in Antwerp. Alongside him on the extradition flight were two other criminals: 29-year-old Giorgi F from Merksem and Mathias A, who is 30 years old and hails from Antwerp. The operation was managed by the Fugitive Active Search Team, and was conducted on a special Defence flight deployed specifically for this purpose.

The extradition of Othman El Ballouti underscores ongoing efforts by Belgian authorities to combat drug trafficking, especially in Antwerp. With links to other major criminal cases, including an 11-tonne cocaine shipment, his arrest signifies a notable step in addressing the growing drug problem. The extradition may lead to further investigations as Belgium grapples with the implications of these high-profile criminals operating within its borders.