Key drug lord arrested in Dubai for trafficking

Edin ‘Tito’ Gačanin, a major figure in an international drug cartel, has been arrested in Dubai. He is known as the "European Escobar." Authorities suspect him of smuggling large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine into Europe. Gačanin is accused of trafficking 2,500 kilograms of cocaine valued at millions of euros. He reportedly cut a deal with Dutch prosecutors and agreed to a seven-year prison sentence and a one million euro fine. A spokesperson for the Dutch prosecution confirmed his arrest was made at their request. Gačanin holds a Dutch passport and is originally from Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for leading the "Tito and Dino Cartel." This cartel is part of a larger "super cartel" involved in a significant portion of the cocaine trade from South America to Europe. Other members of this super cartel include known criminals like Ridouan Taghi and Raffaele Imperiale. Taghi has faced trial for multiple murders, while Imperiale has turned state witness after being extradited to Italy. Gačanin had been arrested in Dubai before but was released when an extradition request failed. Recently, the Bosnian government dismissed an honorary consul due to alleged links to Gačanin. Law enforcement agencies in Bosnia, along with the FBI and Europol, are investigating the cartel’s efforts to influence local politics. This organized crime group has reportedly tried to gain political power in Bosnia and Herzegovina by offering financial support to politicians and creating citizen associations to increase their influence.