A Norwegian man known as “The Professor” has been arrested in Bogotá, Colombia, in connection with leading a major drug trafficking operation that transported cocaine from South America to Europe using sailboats. Pazooki Farhad, who allegedly headed the world’s largest “narco sailboat” network, was detained at El Dorado Airport, according to Colombian police on Tuesday, as per CBS news.
His alleged accomplice, Bernsten Bjarte, was captured in Barranquilla, a coastal city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Colombian authorities revealed that Farhad had been under investigation by various international agencies. They disclosed that he maintained criminal ties with the notorious Clan del Golfo, which is Colombia’s largest cartel. Additionally, Farhad was connected to prominent Mexican cartels, including Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generacion.
A video released by the Bogotá mayor’s office showed Farhad in custody, identifying his role in the expansive trafficking operation. Spanish police had previously reported the arrest of 50 individuals linked to Farhad across Spain and seven other countries. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 1.5 tonnes of cocaine and eight sailboats used for drug smuggling. Europol, which identified Farhad as a “high value target,” released footage of drug busts and raids, showcasing the scale of the operation.
Europol noted that Farhad had been entrenched in the drug trade for over 20 years, earning the “full confidence” of Colombian and Mexican drug cartels through his coordination of major cocaine shipments. His capture follows closely on the heels of another high-profile drug trafficker’s extradition. Earlier this week, US authorities announced the extradition of a Montenegrin known as the “Pirate of the Unknown” from Italy to New York City. This individual faces charges related to an international drug ring that allegedly transported vast quantities of cocaine globally, according to CBS news.
His alleged accomplice, Bernsten Bjarte, was captured in Barranquilla, a coastal city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Colombian authorities revealed that Farhad had been under investigation by various international agencies. They disclosed that he maintained criminal ties with the notorious Clan del Golfo, which is Colombia’s largest cartel. Additionally, Farhad was connected to prominent Mexican cartels, including Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generacion.
A video released by the Bogotá mayor’s office showed Farhad in custody, identifying his role in the expansive trafficking operation. Spanish police had previously reported the arrest of 50 individuals linked to Farhad across Spain and seven other countries. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 1.5 tonnes of cocaine and eight sailboats used for drug smuggling. Europol, which identified Farhad as a “high value target,” released footage of drug busts and raids, showcasing the scale of the operation.
Europol noted that Farhad had been entrenched in the drug trade for over 20 years, earning the “full confidence” of Colombian and Mexican drug cartels through his coordination of major cocaine shipments. His capture follows closely on the heels of another high-profile drug trafficker’s extradition. Earlier this week, US authorities announced the extradition of a Montenegrin known as the “Pirate of the Unknown” from Italy to New York City. This individual faces charges related to an international drug ring that allegedly transported vast quantities of cocaine globally, according to CBS news.
Source : Times of India
