The UAE led an operation that saw the arrest of Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam, the world’s most wanted human trafficker.
The notorious people smuggler, known for his cruel and violent treatment of migrants, was arrested in Sudan after the UAE police conducted a nine-month investigation and tipped off Interpol.
Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam was the subject of two Interpol red notices, by Ethiopia and the Netherlands, for migrant smuggling, human trafficking and other related crimes.
UAE and Interpol operation
He is wanted for masterminding a major criminal organisation behind the kidnapping, extortion and murder of East African migrants.
The Eritrean national had been on Interpol’s radar since 2019 and is believed to have smuggled and trafficked thousands of victims.
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said, “The success of a 9-month global police operation led by the UAE and in partnership with the Interpol resulted in the arrest of those wanted internationally and by the UAE.
“These include Kidane Zekarias, a fugitive from prison in one of the countries and the leader of a criminal organisation for human trafficking, and his brother Henok Zakarias, who is wanted for money laundering.”
Sheikh Saif bin Zayed shared a video, which showed trafficking routes for hundreds of illegal immigrants from Africa to Europe.
It shows how desperate people were moved from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Libya across the Mediterranean and into Italy.
In March 2022, intelligence gathered by Interpol’s Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants unit prompted a task force meeting with participants from Ethiopia, Sudan, the Netherlands, UAE and Europol.
Officers explored analytical gaps, progressively closing in on the fugitive and his associates.
This extensive collaboration generated a new batch of intelligence, allowing UAE authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of his network and family members, identifying money laundering activities and leading to Sudan.
His location and arrest deals a major blow to a smuggling route towards Europe and protect thousands more from being exploited at the hands of the crime group.
Brigadier Saeed Abdullah al Suwaidi, Director General, Federal Anti-Narcotics General Directorate of the UAE’s Ministry of Interior said: “Thanks to the professionalism and dedication of our police officers, the world’s most wanted human trafficker will no longer be able to commit his despicable actions.
“The UAE will continue to deploy our full operational capabilities to protect vulnerable communities from this horrific exploitation.”
Stefan Schrander, Warrant Officer, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee welcomed the arrest, adding that Kidane Zekarias Habtemariam had been on the Dutch National Most Wanted List since October 2021.
“The Royal Marechaussee is grateful for the effective cooperation in this investigation with various countries coordinated through Interpol.
“This successful cooperation has already resulted in the extradition by Ethiopia last year of a close associate of his and is now followed by a major arrest.
“He will have to face justice for his criminal activities, including the smuggling of thousands of victims under degrading and violent conditions,” concluded Mr Kolkman.
More arrests are expected as part of ongoing investigations and as coordination continues with several INTERPOL member countries.
More arrests are expected as part of ongoing investigations and as coordination continues with several Interpol member countries.
Co-ordinated raids were carried out across Europe and the UAE, from November 8 to 19, targeting both the command-and-control centre and the logistical drugs trafficking infrastructure in Europe.
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