Wanted with a Red Notice: Drug baron nicknamed 'Don Vito' captured in the UAE

Drug baron Abdullah Alp Üstün, nicknamed 'Don Vito,' who was wanted internationally with a Red Notice, and drug organized crime group member Hasan Lala, who was wanted internationally with a Red Diffusion Message, have been captured in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Following their capture, both individuals were extradited to Turkey. Interior Minister Yerlikaya shared the following statement on his social media account:

"As a result of joint efforts by the General Directorate of Security's Interpol-Europol Department, the Departments of Anti-Narcotics and Intelligence, UAE security units, and the Istanbul Provincial Police Department, Abdullah Alp Üstün, nicknamed 'Don Vito,' the leader of the 'Chrooke' criminal organization who was wanted internationally with a Red Notice for 'Laundering Assets Derived from Crime, Trafficking or Supplying Narcotic or Stimulant Substances, and Establishing an Organization for the Purpose of Committing Crimes,' and Hasan Lala, who was wanted internationally with a Red Diffusion (Urgent Arrest Message) for 'Being a Member of an Organization Established for the Purpose of Committing Crimes, Importing Narcotic Substances, and Laundering Assets Derived from Crime' and who was responsible for financial and fiscal transactions within Abdullah Alp Üstün's organization, have been captured in the United Arab Emirates and extradited to our country. Our General Directorate of Security's Aviation and Special Operations Departments supported the operation. I thank everyone who contributed. Through our international cooperation, we will continue to capture members of organized crime groups and drug traffickers and bring them back to our country."

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— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) October 11, 2025

News Source: İHA