‘Super-cartel’ big fish caught
Cocaine trade ring busted in europe and dubai with arrest of 49
THE hague: Police have smashed a huge drugs “super-cartel” that controlled a third of Europe’s cocaine trade, arresting 49 people in various countries including six kingpins in the gang’s hub in Dubai, Europol said.
The international operation codenamed “Desert Light” seized more than 30 tonnes of the white powder and led to arrests in Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain, the European Union police said.
The crackdown in Dubai netted a “big fish” from the Netherlands, who reportedly had links to alleged Dutch crime boss Ridouan Taghi, who was himself seized in the Gulf emirate in 2019.
“The drugpins, considered as high-value targets by Europol, had come together to form what was known as a ‘super cartel’ which controlled around one third of the cocaine trade in Europe,” Europol said.
“The scale of cocaine importation into Europe under the suspects’ control and command was massive”.
The Dutch suspect had allegedly formed an alliance in Dubai with the leaders of Irish and Italian drug gangs who were also arrested, Dutch public broadcaster NOS said.
A video released by Europol showed agents including some from the US Drug Enforcement Administration and Spanish
Guardia Civil arresting suspects and seizing luxury cars and hidden stashes of cash.
Dubai arrested two “high-value” suspects who are linked to France, two connected to the Netherlands and another two linked to Spain, Europol said.
Europol spokesman Jan Op Gen Oorth said it was a “textbook example of an international operation into the most dangerous organised crime groups”.
“The Emirates were a safe haven for criminals... but this time is over,” he said.
The seizure of 30 tonnes of cocaine in one fell swoop would have a “big impact”, he said.
Ten people were arrested in Belgium, six in France and 13 in Spain during the operation from Nov 8 to 19. Another 14 people were arrested last year in the Netherlands as part of the same operation, Europol said.