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

 
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.