فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The United Arab Emirates handed over Moroccan drug trafficker Othman Al-Blouti, known as “Patron,” aged 37, to Belgian authorities yesterday, Sunday, aboard a special military aircraft, in a move considered a significant blow to organized crime networks.
Al-Blouti, sentenced to 27 years in prison in Belgium, had been living comfortably in Dubai, out of reach of Belgian justice, before the handover was successfully carried out through coordinated efforts between the UAE and Belgian authorities.
“Patron” is one of the most wanted individuals pursued for years by the Antwerp police and the Belgian public prosecutor’s office due to his involvement in large-scale drug trafficking networks linking Europe and Latin America.
Belgian Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden commented on the handover, stating, “This is a strong message to all criminal networks: Belgium will not give up.” She praised the international cooperation that led to the capture of one of the most dangerous fugitives, emphasizing that cross-border partnerships are key to tackling complex security challenges.
The Belgian police released a photo of Othman Al-Blouti along with two other Belgian nationals after their deportation from Dubai to Ostend Airport, where they were immediately transferred to prison under heightened security measures to prevent any escape attempts or rescue operations by drug gangs active in Belgium.
The photo shows Al-Blouti alongside the Belgians “Matthias A.” and “Georgi F.,” surrounded by officers from the Belgian special police units.
