UAE Extradites Notorious Moroccan Drug Trafficker to Belgium Under Heavy Guard
The Emirati authorities extradited Moroccan drug trafficker Othman Belouti, known as “Patron,” to Belgium yesterday, Sunday, after years of evasion. The operation was carried out via a private military aircraft that flew from Dubai to Ostend Airport, a move Brussels described as a significant blow to organized crime.
Belouti, who is 37 years old, managed to elude justice despite a final sentence of 27 years in prison. He is considered one of the most dangerous individuals involved in drug trafficking networks between Latin America and Europe, especially through Belgian ports that are witnessing increasing activity from international gangs.
The extradition came after security coordination between the UAE and Belgium, ending years of attempts to track down “Patron,” who had been living a luxurious life in Dubai, benefiting from havens that shielded him from European authorities.
Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden deemed this step a “clear message to criminal networks that Belgium does not tolerate those fleeing justice.” She confirmed that international security cooperation is becoming the most effective weapon against drug trafficking and organized crime.
Following Belouti’s arrival in Belgium, police released photos of him alongside two others who were extradited with him from Dubai, namely “Matthias A.” and “Giorgi F.” They were all transferred to prison under the protection of special units, amid exceptional security measures to prevent any escape attempt or rescue by the trafficking networks still active in Belgium.
