A suspect has been detained in Benidorm by officers from the National Police after an active European Arrest Warrant for extradition (OEDE) issued by Italian authorities was found to be in effect. The arrest occurred when the man approached the Benidorm Police Station’s documents office to carry out routine procedures related to his identity papers, including his DNI, passport, and Foreigners’ Identity Card (TIE).
During routine checks, authorities consulted the individual’s records in the National Police databases and confirmed the existence of an OEDE issued by Italy for drug trafficking. According to the information available, the alleged offenses took place in 2021 in Varese, a city in northern Italy. The person is said to have been part of a criminal network involved in the trafficking and distribution of various controlled substances, including cocaine, heroin, and hashish, reflecting a broader pattern of organized crime linked to illicit drug markets.
The arrestee was reportedly a fugitive from Italian justice after receiving a maximum prison sentence of 20 years in that country. He is a 25-year-old Moroccan national who was placed in the custody of the Central Investigations Court of the Audiencia Nacional, the Spanish authority responsible for processing procedures related to extradition requests and coordinating with foreign jurisdictions.
Law enforcement officials emphasize that the capture in Benidorm demonstrates ongoing cross-border cooperation in tackling serious crimes such as drug trafficking. The case highlights how European judicial mechanisms enable rapid sharing of information and swift action when fugitives sought under OEDEs are identified during ordinary administrative procedures. In this instance, the integrated use of identity verification, database cross-checks, and international warrants culminated in a timely interception and the initiation of extradition proceedings in Spain, under the framework of EU legal cooperation. Attribution: National Police sources and official statements from the Benidorm precinct.