National police forces stopped a fugitive in the municipality of Rojales, in the province of Alicante, after a coordinated operation spanning multiple countries. The individual faced two European Arrest and Extradition Warrants, issued by Belgium and the Netherlands, in connection with serious offenses. Additionally, Spain’s authorities had four national requests for searches active in parallel investigations. The operation was confirmed by police sources this Saturday.
The investigation traces back to early 2022 when Belgian authorities notified the National Police of the importance of locating and apprehending the fugitive, who, at the time, was believed to be in the province of Malaga. Subsequent intelligence checks, however, indicated that the suspect was not located in that area, despite extensive surveillance efforts.
Following the General Assembly of the European Network of Active Search Teams for Fugitives (Enfast) held in Spain last October, coordination intensified among Spanish, Belgian, and Dutch authorities. Operational information shared by Enfast teams revealed multiple changes of residence across Spain, suggesting an attempt to evade justice while some parties claimed to have continued illegal activities under observation. Nonetheless, authorities confirmed the individual remained a fugitive and pursued a family-based pattern that brought him into closer proximity to residential environments, prompting the activation of a dedicated search device for this case.
To address these possibilities, investigators devised two complementary approaches during the meeting. The first involved requesting precautionary and investigative measures through the European Investigation Order mechanisms, with Belgium initiating the request and Spain executing the procedures under Fast, ensuring cross-border cooperation. The second approach focused on launching new inquiries to gather additional information and refine the offender’s movements and associations.
In accordance with the latest reports, investigators established that the fugitive could be located in a village near Torrevieja, within an upscale residential complex in Rojales. There, he had been living with his family, eventually leading to his apprehension. Sources describe him as highly dangerous and violent, matched by the heightened scrutiny from European authorities who monitor his activities and potential threat to public safety.
The European Arrest and Extradition Order was issued by Dutch authorities, with charges including drug trafficking, kidnapping, personal injury, and property offenses. Belgian authorities had previously addressed similar serious crimes related to drug trafficking and involvement in a European criminal organization associated with the N’Drangheta. The suspect is said to have been convicted in Belgium in 2016 for kidnapping a man, resulting in a seven-year sentence, a detail that reinforces why European authorities regard him as especially dangerous and prone to using firearms in criminal operations.
In addition to the extradition orders, Spain also issued two European Arrest and Extradition Warrants and four national search warrants related to drug trafficking and document forgery. This layered approach reflects the importance of a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional response to serious transnational crime and the shared commitment among European partner agencies to dismantle criminal networks and ensure accountability across borders.
Strategic cooperation efforts, ongoing risk assessments, and the exchange of real-time information between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain illustrate how modern law enforcement tackles fugitives who exploit mobility across jurisdictions. The case demonstrates the effectiveness of combining traditional investigative methods with modern cross-border legal tools to disrupt criminal enterprises and safeguard communities. Authorities continue to emphasize the value of persistent international collaboration and the adaptability of investigative strategies in the pursuit of justice for victims and the public at large, as reported by official sources and corroborated by coordinated statements from participating agencies.