Dubai Police extradite suspects wanted by Interpol for fraud, drug trafficking

Dubai Police extradited two international suspects to French authorities for their alleged involvement in organised transnational crimes, including attempted fraud and drug trafficking, officials confirmed on Friday (July 25).

The arrests followed the issuance of international red notices and the suspects being listed on the wanted rosters of International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol).

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The operation was based on international arrest warrants received by the UAE Ministry of Justice’s International Cooperation Department — the central authority responsible for handling such global requests.

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This latest handover brings the total number of suspects handed over by Dubai Police to France in 2025 to 10. The individuals are linked to a range of serious criminal offences, including premeditated murder, leading organised crime networks, money laundering, armed robbery, and drug-related crimes.

One of the most high-profile extraditions this year occurred on February 7, when the UAE announced it would extradite French national Mehdi Charafa to France, who was wanted on drug trafficking and money laundering charges. The Federal Supreme Court had approved the request, allowing Charafa to face prosecution in his home country.

The UAE's growing track record of international law enforcement cooperation has also seen several other major extraditions in recent months.

The Dubai Police on July 13 arrested and extradited three Belgian nationals wanted in connection with serious cross-border organised crime cases.

In June 2025, the UAE arrested Vitaliy Pirlog, a Moldovan national and former Interpol Commission member, wanted by French authorities on corruption, fraud, and bribery charges.

In May 2025, an alleged top member of an Irish transnational gang was charged in Dublin with murder and directing organised crime after his extradition from the UAE. Sean McGovern, 39, who was arrested at his Dubai home in October last year, had been described by Irish police as the right-hand man of Irish cartel boss Daniel Kinahan.

McGovern, who had been living in Dubai for several years, is the first Kinahan cartel member to be arrested in Dubai, and is the first person ever extradited to Ireland from the UAE.

In February, the UAE said it extradited a wanted French criminal Mehdi Charafa, back to France, where he was charged for drug-related offences.

In January this year, the UAE detained Abdul Rahman Al Qaradawi at Lebanon’s request. He faced charges of engaging in activities that aim to stir and undermine public security.

Elizabeth Gonzales

elizabeth@khaleejtimes.com

Elizabeth Gonzales is a Digital Journalist who loves writing about the expat life — and ways to make the most of it. When she's not looking for new hacks to share with readers, you may find her giving them a real laugh at one of her stand-up comic events.