Notorious French Drug Kingpin 'The Fly' Captured After Nine-Month Manhunt in Romania

In a significant development, authorities have apprehended one of France's most wanted criminals, Mohamed Amra, known by his alias 'The Fly,' following a nine-month pursuit that culminated in Romania. Amra's capture, confirmed by French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, marks the end of a lengthy manhunt that began after his violent escape from custody in May 2024.

Amra's escape was nothing short of shocking; he was freed during a brazen assault on a prison transport vehicle, which occurred while he was being transferred for a court hearing in Rouen. The incident unfolded at a toll booth, where a group of armed and masked assailants launched an attack on the transport, resulting in the deaths of two prison guards and injuries to three others. The entire ordeal lasted approximately three minutes, during which Amra and his accomplices fled in two stolen vehicles, which were later discovered burned.

This incident, which was caught on surveillance cameras, underlined the escalating violence within France's drug trafficking landscape. Authorities suspect that even while incarcerated, Amra was orchestrating criminal activities, including ordering murders.

In the aftermath of Amra's arrest on February 22 in Romania, Minister Retailleau expressed gratitude towards the Romanian authorities and security forces for their collaboration, which enabled the capture. French Prime Minister François Bayrou also took to social media to commend the successful operation, describing it as a culmination of months of diligent efforts to track down Amra.

President Emmanuel Macron hailed the arrest as a significant achievement for law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating organized crime.

The search for Amra and his associates involved over 300 investigators, highlighting the gravity of the situation. The French public's concern over rising crime tied to drug trafficking has prompted heightened scrutiny and calls for more decisive action from law enforcement agencies.

As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to delve deeper into Amra's operations and connections within the drug trade, as they aim to dismantle the networks that facilitated his escape and ongoing criminal activities.