A fugitive drug criminal, Ali O., was captured this week in the Antwerp port area, according to the federal police.
In 2023, Ali O., also known as ‘Freaks’, received a total of 13 years in prison across two separate trials for drug trafficking, importation, and criminal organisation involvement.
Following his sentencing, the federal police’s specialized Fugitive and Asset Search Team (FAST) actively pursued him. Initially, it was suspected that Ali O. had fled to Morocco.
However, recent weeks saw numerous actions in the Antwerp region, as investigators uncovered evidence suggesting he was likely hiding locally. This suspicion was confirmed over the Easter weekend when Ali O. was spotted during a police check and attempted to flee.
On Wednesday, he was located in the port area. The police stated that thanks to the determination of investigators and magistrates, the fugitive was apprehended in the late afternoon by Antwerp’s Rapid Response Team (SRT). After his arrest, he was transferred to Antwerp prison.
Ali O. was involved in transport and warehouse rental and also ran a restaurant on Turnhoutsebaan that had been targeted in drug-related attacks.
