Dubai Police arrest leader of international criminal cartel ‘Angel of Death’

Dubai Police has arrested 41-year old Dutch fugitive Ridouan Taghi in the emirate, it was announced on Monday.

Described as a dangerous criminal by Dutch police, Taghi is the leader of ‘Angel of Death’, a criminal cartel operating in Europe and Africa. He is accused of committing several crimes ranging from murder to drug trafficking and has been evading security officials by changing identities.

Several international arrest warrants were issued against Taghi last year on charges of belonging to a criminal cartel. Dutch authorities had even announced a financial reward of 100,000 euros for any information that could lead to his arrest.

The arrest of the accused, who was staying in a residential villa in Dubai, was done by the Dubai police in cooperation with the Netherlands police and Interpol, a statement said.

Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, commander-in-chief of Dubai Police said that the suspect entered the country through Dubai International Airport using official documents, which included a passport and visa that were not his own.

Coming from the Netherlands, Taghi was able to enter the UAE before a notification regarding him was issued by authorities in his country.

He stayed in one of Dubai’s residential areas “without engaging in any criminal activity” and managed his daily affairs with the help of his acquaintances belonging to various nationalities, Al Marri said.

Providing more details on the case, brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jalaf, director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Dubai Police, said Dutch authorities had earlier requested assistance in investigating the possible presence of the accused in Dubai or neighbouring countries.

A team of top CID officers and personnel were tasked with gathering information. Following the investigation, the suspect was arrested at the villa he was residing in, Al Jalaf said.

Erik Akerboom, commissioner of Netherlands Police, thanked the UAE authorities and Dubai Police for their cooperation and efforts to track down the Taghi.

The accused will be referred to relevant judicial authorities in the country and action will be taken according to legal procedures followed in such cases, officials said.