Marco Ebben: Infamous Dutch Drug Trafficker Killed in Mexico

Marco Ebben, a notorious Dutch drug trafficker, was shot dead in Mexico. Known for smuggling cocaine from Brazil to the Netherlands, he had previously faked his own death. His murder occurred amidst ongoing cartel violence following the arrest of a key cartel leader. Authorities continue to combat drug-related crime in Mexico, evident by the recent arrest of another trafficking suspect.

Marco Ebben, a 32-year-old Dutch drug trafficker deemed one of Europe’s most wanted criminals, was shot dead in Atizapan de Zaragoza, Mexico, on Thursday. His identity was confirmed by local officials, who requested anonymity regarding the ongoing investigation. Ebben’s criminal activities had previously led Europol to include him on their list of most wanted fugitives due to his drug trafficking from Brazil to the Netherlands.

In October 2020, Ebben was sentenced to over seven years in prison after allegedly smuggling 400 kilograms of cocaine hidden in containers of pineapples between 2014 and 2015. In an attempt to escape law enforcement, he reportedly faked his death in October last year amidst a violent turf war involving factions of the Sinaloa Cartel, particularly in the cartel stronghold of Culiacan. His supposed death lacked any substantial evidence apart from an unverified claim from a girlfriend.

The recent violence in Sinaloa is attributed to the arrest of Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, the cartel’s co-founder, in late July, which is believed to have initiated a power struggle within the organization. Alongside this incident, Mexican authorities announced the arrest of Humberto Rivera, a suspected Sinaloa Cartel member wanted by the United States, who operated in northern Chihuahua.

Marco Ebben’s murder highlights the ongoing violence and internal conflicts within drug trafficking organizations in Mexico, particularly the Sinaloa Cartel. Despite attempts to evade justice by faking his death, his involvement in drug smuggling ultimately caught up with him. This incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing drug trafficking and cartel-related violence.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com