A man believed to be a leading figure in the trade in illegal narcotics in Antwerp has been arrested by police in Dubai. The daily ‘Het Laatste Nieuws’ first reported the arrest of Othman El Ballouti and this has since been confirmed by a VRT News source. Othman El Ballouti is believed to be a major figure in the drug trade in Antwerp. He is also the uncle of an 11-year-old girl that was shot dead in her home while she was having dinner with her family.
The authorities in the United Arab Emirates are refraining from comment about the arrest for the time being and Belgian prosecutors have not officially confirmed that Othman El Ballouti has been arrested in Dubai.
However, a reliable source has told VRT News that Mr El Ballouti was arrested at the request of Belgian prosecutors. It now remains to be seen if and when he will be extradited to Belgium.
Belgium signed an extradition treaty with the UEA in late 2021. Since then, people have been extradited from the United Arab Emirates to Belgium. Among these was the notorious Antwerp drug lord Nordin El Hajjioui, also known as “Fat Nordin van den Dam”.
“El Patron”
For years Othman El Ballouti has been believed to be one of leading figures in the Antwerp narcotics trade. He grew up in Antwerp and is now in his 30s. He was convicted for the first time in September when he was given a 7-year prison sentence after having been found guilty of importing 800kg of cocaine. He wasn’t in court to hear the verdict. He has been living in Dubai for years, where he reportedly owns 11 properties worth a total of 7.5 million euro. Othman El Ballouti told the daily ‘Gazet van Antwerpen’ that he is not involved in drugs and he has earned his wealth through the sale of luxury watches.
The cracking of the encrypted communication service Sky ECC allowed detectives to read messages sent by criminals involved in drugs. Dectectives were able to gather information on Othman El Ballouti, who allegedly was known as “El Patron”. In late October prosecutors demanded that he be given a 20-year prison sentence and an 800,000-euro fine for allegdly importing 11 tonnes of cocaine. Two of Mr El Ballouti's brothers also stood trial in the case. A verdict in that case is expected soon.
Uncle of 11-year-old shot dead in her home
Othman El Ballouti is the uncle of Firdaous, an 11-year-old girl that was killed after shots were fired at her family home in the Merksem district of Antwerp.
Othman El Ballouti's youngest brother is also said to have already been targeted by rival drug criminals. He was held hostage for 37 days almost 10 years ago in Brussels and later in Paris, where he eventually turned up in a police station. Mr El Ballouti allegedly paid a ransom, although he himself said his brother managed to escape his captors. He also said that the kidnapping had nothing to do with drugs.