Three Wanted Drug Criminals Extradited from UAE to Belgium
Belgium has received three wanted drug criminals extradited from the United Arab Emirates, marking the latest milestone in a bilateral crackdown on international organized crime. The three individuals — Gianni Faes (35), Karim M. (alias “Prima”, 42), and Jamal S.E. — were flown from Dubai to Brussels aboard a Belgian Defense Ministry aircraft on June 17, 2026, bringing the total number of “High Value Targets” extradited under the bilateral treaty to 16.
Background: The UAE as a Safe Haven
The United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, had long served as a safe haven for international drug criminals due to the absence of an extradition treaty with Belgium. Wanted individuals exploited weak financial oversight to launder money through luxury real estate investments while coordinating drug trafficking operations from a strategic hub. Many of those hiding in the UAE have ties to the Port of Antwerp, one of Europe’s largest ports and a major entry point for cocaine from South America.
The Extradition Treaty
This landscape shifted dramatically in December 2021, when Belgium and the UAE signed a landmark extradition treaty in Abu Dhabi. Former Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne and Federal Prosecutor Frédéric Van Leeuw signed the agreement, which entered into force in late 2022. The treaty enabled mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, allowed for the seizure and confiscation of property and proceeds of crime, and included human rights safeguards preventing extradition in cases of political crimes, potential torture, or the death penalty. Van Quickenborne described it at the time as “the missing link” in tackling drug crime.
The Three Extradited Individuals
Gianni Faes, from Antwerp, had been sentenced in Belgium to a total of 16 years in prison for drug smuggling and leading a criminal organization. His parental home in the Merksem district was repeatedly targeted in attacks linked to the drug trade. Karim M., known by the alias “Prima,” and Jamal S.E. have cases pending before the courts of appeal in Antwerp and Mons respectively.
The extraditions were announced by Belgian Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (CD&V), who stated: “These successful extraditions show that international cooperation works. This is a powerful signal to all criminal networks: Belgium does not let go.”
A Growing Track Record
The first extradition under the treaty took place in 2024, when Albanian drug boss Franc Gergely was transferred to Belgium. In January 2026, the UAE extradited Nordin El Ballouti — brother of notorious Antwerp drugs baron Othman El Ballouti — along with a Georgian jewel thief, bringing the total to 12 extraditions at that time. The January 2026 operation demonstrated the treaty’s growing effectiveness, with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office noting that “this successful cooperation underscores the joint commitment of Belgium and the UAE to effectively combat serious organized crime.”
The ‘Flying Magistrate’ and Institutional Innovation
To enhance the effectiveness of extradition requests, Belgium appointed a specialized “flying magistrate” tasked with analyzing Emirati legislation and tailoring extradition requests to the local legal context. This institutional innovation has helped accelerate what was previously a slow and cumbersome process.
Broader International Cooperation
Minister Verlinden has been actively expanding Belgium’s international cooperation network beyond the UAE. During a visit to Morocco on June 11, 2026, she discussed enhanced cooperation against organized crime with her Moroccan counterpart. The visit reportedly led to arrests of multiple Belgian-Moroccan suspects and a settlement of over €175 million by two Moroccan banks in a federal prosecutor’s investigation.
Remaining Challenges
Despite the successes, significant challenges remain. As of January 2026, 26 outstanding extradition requests were still pending, and dozens of wanted criminals remain in the UAE. High-profile fugitives still at large include Omar Govers — an Antwerp drug boss who still owes 42 years of prison time in Belgium — Mario Krezic of the Kavac clan from Montenegro, and Maati Korchi, an Antwerp real estate entrepreneur and drug trafficker.
Analysis and Implications
The milestone of 16 extraditions represents a substantial operational success for the 2021 treaty, which was initially seen as a diplomatic breakthrough with uncertain practical impact. Each extradition sends a deterrent signal to criminals hiding in Dubai that the UAE is no longer a safe haven. The Belgium-UAE model could also serve as a template for other European countries seeking similar arrangements with Gulf states.
However, the root causes that made the UAE attractive to criminals — weak financial oversight and the ability to invest illicit proceeds in luxury real estate — have not been fully addressed. The pace of extraditions, while accelerating, remains slow relative to the number of outstanding requests.
What to Watch For
With the appointment of the “flying magistrate” and growing political will on both sides, the pace of extraditions is expected to continue. Minister Verlinden’s expansion of cooperation networks — particularly with Morocco — signals a broader strategy to pursue drug criminals wherever they seek refuge. The coming months will reveal whether the remaining 26 outstanding requests can be processed with greater efficiency, and whether the UAE’s evolving stance on international judicial cooperation will put additional pressure on the fugitives who remain at large.