A notorious convicted drug kingpin from the Netherlands, Marco Ebben, who was considered one of Europe’s most wanted criminals, has been apprehended in a deadly gun battle in Mexico. At the age of 32, Ebben was shot and killed during a violent confrontation in a car park in Atizapan de Zaragoza, a municipality located approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) northwest of Mexico City, authorities confirmed on Friday.
Prior to his demise, Ebben had a history of evading law enforcement, notably having faked his own death in the past. His criminal activities had drawn significant attention; he was implicated in orchestrating sophisticated drug smuggling operations from Brazil to the Netherlands, effectively contributing to the rampant drug trade across Europe.
The shootout occurred on Thursday, and experts from law enforcement agencies were able to confirm Ebben’s identity shortly after. An official from the state prosecutor’s office, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, stated that this incident highlights the ongoing challenges of international drug trafficking and organized crime.
The European law enforcement agency Europol had placed Ebben on their list of “most wanted fugitives,” underlining the severity of his crimes and the threat he posed to public safety. His death marks a significant development in the efforts to combat the drug trade within Europe and beyond.
