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Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Othman El-Ballouti Arrested in Dubai, Belgian Fugitive Was Once Threatened by "El Mayo"

"Socalj" for Borderland Beat


Othman El Ballouti, a significant figure in the international cocaine trade and known as "El Patron", has been arrested in Dubai.

Othman El Ballouti managed an international criminal organization that smuggled significant quantities of cocaine via shipping containers through the Port of Antwerp in Belgium for wider distribution throughout Europe. Their cocaine supplier Wilder Emilio Sanchez Farfan, "Gato" also supplied cocaine to the Sinaloa and CJNG cartels.

The Antwerp native had been evading authorities and was previously sentenced to 7 years in absentia for trafficking 840 kilos of cocaine. He is also under investigation for his ties to the Ecuadorian cartel leader. 

 
El Ballouti's involvement had also drawn scrutiny from the DEA due to his money laundering activities through businesses in mainland China and the UAE.

Among the 6 suspects recently arrested are the alleged investors, the ringleader, corrupted officials, and coordinators and workers involved in the logistics of the operations.

Since the start of the investigation in April 2023, a total of 32 people have been arrested, and 5.8 tons of cocaine have been seized in Belgium, Spain, and Colombia. Assets such as properties as well as cell phones and documents were also seized.

At the time of the sanctions being issued, the US made a point to list El Ballouti's address as a high-end apartment complex in downtown Dubai, near the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building that was also host to Daniel Kinahan's wedding in 2017 whose guests included several key figures of the European Super Cartel.

Dubai No Longer a Safe Haven

With the UAE now heading Interpol, the country has faced renewed questioning over its lax checks on money laundering and reluctance to extradite suspects. That has only increased as Russian money flows into the nation amid Moscow’s war on Ukraine.

In response, the UAE has made several high profile arrests to extradite suspects back to the West."El Ballouti has been handed over to Dubai Public Prosecution for legal proceedings related to extradition," a police statement said. Belgium now anticipates his extradition. His arrest has raised concerns among other organized crime figures in Antwerp, as he was considered a key player with extensive connections, including ties to the Mocro Maffia.

Dubai has increasingly been cooperating with western countries on extraditing wanted criminals, primarily gang leaders and drug traffickers. Most recently, a former Sydney Hells Angels leader and drug trafficker was deported from Dubai to Australia, where he was one of their most wanted men.

Ireland has been negotiating with Dubai regarding extradition of Kinahan Cartel members, even though a criminal indictment has yet to be made for the leader of the Dubai-based Super Cartel, Daniel Kinahan. Kinahan underling Sean McGovern was recently arrested in Dubai as well and his extradition is being negotiated.

US Sanctions

In July 2023, the OFAC sanctioned three Belgian nationals, including Othman El Ballouti, as well as his younger brother, Younes El Ballouti, and his associate, Youssef Ben Azza.

The Treasury Department alleges that Othman El Ballouti manages an international criminal organization that smuggles “significant quantities of cocaine via shipping containers through the Port of Antwerp in Belgium for wider distribution throughout Europe”.

They also accused Othman El Ballouti of running a money laundering enterprise with links to businesses in mainland China and to drug traffickers in South America. They specifically mention the previously sanctioned Ecuadorian national and cocaine trafficker Wilder Emilio Sanchez Farfan, who was arrested in Colombia in February 2023.

A leaked database of real estate information shows that a man by the name of Othman El Ballouti owns property in the emirate. El Ballouti appears in a leaked database of property and residency data compiled by assorted real estate professionals obtained by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project through C4ADS. His name is connected with 11 properties in Dubai with a combined worth of nearly US$ 8.5 million. Sources told Gazet van Antwerpen that his combined assets are worth at least 100 million euros ($118 million).


Threats from Sinaloa

On the same day that the US Treasury imposed sanctions on El Ballouti and his network, a video was released by journalist Jorin van de Az on the news site Gazet van Antwerpen, although the exact date of its creation is unknown. The video featured a Mexican man, said to be representing Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. He addresses Othman and his family directly regarding a debt that "El Mayo" is owed.



“Just as I have the balls to come and make this video with my face, Mr. Ballouti, I am also standing with my people from Mayo Zambada, do you understand me? So check the information carefully...”

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ballouti, that I sent people to the door of one of your people to settle a debt," he said apologetically. Then the tone becomes more menacing. The man tells El Ballouti to show the video to the Mexicans in Europe. “They will tell you who I am. I have the balls to show my face to you here. You need to get serious."

“But debts are debts of honor, debts of men. This business is for men, not fags. Then I ask you to get your act together with that debt, sir. In advance, I apologize again, but well, you also get serious. There we are. Take care of yourself, Ballouti family,” concluded the man, representing Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. At no time does the man mention what said debt consists of, that is if it is related to a shipment of drugs or money.

39 comments:

  1. El mayo knew exactly where he was in Dubai.
    And yet couldn't touch him there.
    As dubai is the safest place on earth for criminals.
    They don't have to worry for assassination there. As there are no guns in the country.
    Even when mossad wanted to kill a terrorist there they had to smuggle poison and couldn't make a clean getaway.
    His only worry is extradition back to Europe .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Citizens of Dubai are legally allowed to own guns if procured through proper channels.

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    2. Ya van a empezar las porristas jajjaa

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    3. Mossad couldn't get guns in there. Lol, lmao even.

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    4. Its cause sicario 006 has been very busy getting camote negro thats why

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    5. Mossad have guns and operatives in Dubai.

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    6. ''Mossad have guns and operatives in Dubai'' Mossad and its agents do whatever the fuck they like and leverage heavyweight financial and personal implications for anyone who does not toe the line..Dirtiest players in the game

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    7. They can still set them up to be arrested however… clearly.

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  2. This is the guy that punked Mayo.

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  3. Mayo couldn't get to this guy just proves that people can sometimes evade the cartel. It is not true that the cartel can get you anywhere you hide. They do have limits. I wonder if Mayo has people inside of European prisons. If he does then this guy is toast. Say adios amigo! For those who don't understand Spanish that means goodbye my friend. Nuff Said!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Othmans got more juice then MZ in Europe so doubtful he can get to him.

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    2. There’s a reason why he was hiding in Dubai .

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    3. 4:55 that's not true, he ripped cocaine from a group, the group killed his 9 years old niece and he fled to Dubai. He's a dead man

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    4. Tas bien pendejo

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    5. MZ and MF super weak

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    6. That stuff with his niece was an inner dispute amongst moroccan clans. In europe most prisons are run by moroccans and algerians, so the cartels need to make a big move if they want to catch him

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    7. How do you know he/they didn’t help get him arrested?

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    8. People evade cartels all the time, you just don't hear about it because, well, they evaded them.

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    9. 215 because we aren't retarded

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    10. @227 — clearly you are, like many.

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  4. Had no idea Dubai was a save heaven for drug criminals. Always thought Dubai was so strict that a Criminal would not even step a foot in Dubai.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has been but is becoming less so with pressure from Western countries. There are strict laws but as long as they have money, are doing business and have the connections they won't be extradited/targeted.

      It has also been a huge networking point for groups from all parts of the world, like Spain's coast was before.

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    2. Money…. Corruption is still the root of all evils.

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  5. Seems like all drug organizations , no matter if its origins are in Europe, Mexico or South America are all connected. Everyone’s seems to know each other in a way.

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    Replies
    1. Africa, Australia, Asia too

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    2. It’s a small world

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    3. Absolutely… they rely on each other more than you can imagine.

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    4. You can rely on me 😂

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  6. Mis contactos en Mazatlan estan reportando el asesinato de el gordo perucis chapo you tubero de Culiacan a manos de los escuadrones de la muerte de el Chavo Felix en Apollo a mayo Flaco.. le dieron al marrano ese

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Connor todavia ESTA mencho en redwood City?

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    2. 12:25 esta entre tus gluteos

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    3. What about the Chinese man, will they get him too

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    4. When Narkitos Toys? que se lo quiebren por enganar a la gente

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  7. What an empty, stupid life he leads…
    Damn…. Bummer

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  8. The mexican geezer looked as tho he would get down right there

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    Replies
    1. The Mexican geezer ran a billion dollar company with thousands of gunmen at his service . He lived what this guy aspired to be .

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  9. Notice how CJNG is never in the news … the legit way to run an organization, not all show offy and loud mouths like the marisco eating, pollos asado loving chancludo snitchaloas

    ReplyDelete

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