Dubai Police arrest leader of the notorious gang 'Angels of Death’
- 17 Dec 2019
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
Dubai Police have arrested Ridouan Taghi, 41, the head of the “Angels of Death” organization, in Dubai on Monday.
In view of the charges levelled to him, the Dutch authorities described Taghi as the most dangerous criminal. Many international arrest warrants were issued against Taghi last year after being convicted of belonging to very dangerous organizations.
The police said Taghi was arrested after he had entered the UAE using the identity of another man. He was residing in a residential villa in Dubai, the police added, noting that he was arrested in co-operation with the Dutch authorities and the Interpol.
According to Major General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, Taghi entered the UAE via Dubai International Airport, using official documents (official passport and travel visa) and an ID card which belonged to another person.
Dubai Police chief praised the role and craftsmanship of the working teams in the General Administration of Criminal Investigations Department in controlling the head of the “Angels of Death” organization specialized in murders and drug trafficking, stressing that a process that translates the UAE’s approach to fruitful cooperation aimed at spreading security and safety worldwide.
He came from the Netherlands and was able to enter the UAE before an arrest warrant was issued by the authorities concerned in his country, he said.
He lived in a residential area in Dubai without being involved in any criminal activity. Taghi sought the help of associates of different nationalities to meet his daily living needs, he said.
Al Marri pointed out that the convicts held the Dutch citizen and was one of the most dangerous criminals in the Netherlands, noting that the criminal was the head of the ‘Death Angel’ organization and was charged with murder and drug trafficking.
The criminal committed several murders in Europe and Africa but was able to evade the security authorities by impersonating many people and using different ID cards.
Brigadier Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, Director of Criminal Investigation Department at Dubai Police, said the difficulties faced by the Dutch authorities to arrest Taghi, led them to announce a reward of €100,000 for any information that would lead to his arrest.
The Commander in Chief of the Dutch Police, Eric Akerbaum, thanked the UAE authorities and the Dubai Police for their cooperation and efforts made in tracking the accused, which was finally successful with the arrest of Ridouan Taghi, who is one of the most dangerous criminal elements in the Netherlands, stressing that Dubai Police cooperation has had a great impact in achieving this achievement, which comes as a model that reflects the great positive impact of the concerted efforts of the police agencies in combating organized crime around the world.