Antwerp Drug Baron Othman El Ballouti Extradited from UAE to Belgium

• Othman El Ballouti extradited from UAE to Belgium.
• His previous sentence was seven years for cocaine trafficking.
• El Ballouti is connected to an 11-tonne cocaine shipment seizure.
• Arrest was aided by intelligence from encrypted app Sky ECC.
• Two other fugitives were extradited alongside El Ballouti.

Othman El Ballouti: Notorious Antwerp Drug Baron

Othman El Ballouti, a well-known figure in the Antwerp drug trade, was extradited to Belgium from the United Arab Emirates on Sunday. He was one of three fugitives returned to Belgium on this extradition flight. The Belgian authorities have since placed him alongside two other men in prison, following his return.

Details of His Criminal Background

El Ballouti, 37, was arrested in Dubai late last year and stands as a significant player in the Antwerp underworld. He was sentenced in absentia to seven years in prison for trafficking a staggering 840 kilograms of cocaine. Furthermore, authorities have linked him to an 11-tonne shipment that was seized in 2021, revealing the extensive scale of his operations.

Intelligence Operation Leads to Arrests

The arrest of El Ballouti came as part of a broader investigation that utilized intelligence gleaned from the now-decrypted messaging app Sky ECC. This operation exposed numerous global drug networks and implicated many traffickers based in Antwerp. Additionally, it is worth noting that El Ballouti is the uncle of Firdaous, an 11-year-old girl fatally shot in Antwerp earlier this year, further underlining the violent connections in this crime-ridden sphere.

In summary, Othman El Ballouti and two fellow fugitives were extradited back to Belgium, where they now face serious charges related to drug trafficking. El Ballouti, with a background steeped in criminal activity, was previously sentenced for major cocaine operations and remains tied to broader drug networks. His return from UAE marks a significant step in combating Antwerp’s drug trade, highlighting ongoing law enforcement efforts in this area.