Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting ProjectJul 15, 2025
Dubai authorities have handed over to Belgium a suspected drug trafficker with an extensive property portfolio in the city and a years-long record of suspected involvement in organized crime. Othman El Ballouti has been on Belgium’s wanted list for years. www.occrp.org/en/news/duba...

Dubai Hands Over Belgian Drug ...
Dubai Hands Over Belgian Drug Lord Who Invested in City’s Luxury Real Estate

Belgian national Othman El Ballouti, sanctioned by the U.S. for drug trafficking, was extradited from Dubai after years of investing in luxury real estate across the emirate.

OCCRP
Show threadOrganized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
OCCRP’s #DubaiUnlocked project revealed that Othman purchased at least 13 properties in Dubai between 2013 and 2015, with a total value of about 8.5 million euros. www.occrp.org/en/goldensan...

Othman El Ballouti
Othman El Ballouti

For two years, Othman El Ballouti, allegedly one of Europe’s major cocaine traffickers, has been on the run from Belgian police, who suspect him to be hiding in Dubai. Now a leaked database of real estate information shows the alleged drug lord owns property in the emirate.

OCCRP
Jul 15, 2025 at 9:51amWeb