Son of Europe’s Infamous Crime Lord Extradited from Dubai to the Netherlands

The son of one of Europe’s most wanted crime lords, arrested in Dubai last year, has been handed over to Dutch authorities by police in the emirate.

Faisal Taghi, 24, was detained in September for drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking and leading the “Angels of Death” crime gang. His father, Ridouan Taghi, 46, who led the same gang, was apprehended by Dubai Police in 2019 in connection with 11 murders.

Faisal Taghi was captured following an international operation involving Interpol and authorities in his native Netherlands.

He was handed over to Dutch authorities last week. “This follows our strategic goals to enhance deep and robust relations between the UAE and various countries in combatting all forms of crime,” said Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police.

His arrest last year followed a warrant from Dutch authorities that reached the International Co-operation Department of the UAE Ministry of Justice.

Dubai Police stated they were thanked by the Dutch Prime Minister for their role in apprehending Faisal Taghi.

“His Excellency Dick Schoof, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, has commended the UAE's efforts and security cooperation, through Dubai Police, in extraditing Faisal Taghi, a high-value target criminal wanted by Dutch authorities,” Dubai Police said.

“Schoof further expressed his appreciation of the UAE and gratitude for the strong bilateral relations between the two nations.”

Faisal’s father, Ridouan, who holds Dutch and Moroccan nationality, is believed to be behind a major cocaine smuggling operation at the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam.

He was linked to 11 murders following a drug turf war in the country.
Police in the Netherlands had offered a reward of €100,000 (Dh409,000) for information leading to his arrest.

Ridouan was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a murderous campaign in the Netherlands, which prosecutors described as a “well-oiled killing machine”. He was one of Europe's most-wanted men when captured in Dubai in 2019.

During his trial, one of the largest in Dutch legal history, Taghi and 16 alleged members of a drugs cartel faced six counts of murder and attempted murder – including ordering at least 13 hits – between 2015 and 2017, mainly against people suspected of becoming police informants.

Three of them, including Taghi, received life sentences.

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