Top people smuggler known as ‘The General’ arrested in Sudan

One of the world’s most wanted people smugglers has been arrested in Sudan, the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has revealed. Mered Medhanie, known as “The General”, is believed to be the mastermind behind a major criminal organisation responsible for smuggling thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa to Europe. The 35-year-old Eritrean is accused of being partly responsible for the 2013 Lampedusa tragedy in which at least 359 migrants lost their lives when their boat capsized off the Italian coast.

Medhanie is a prolific people smuggler and has absolute disregard for human life.

Tom Dowdall, NCA deputy director

Medhanie, who was wanted by authorities in Italy, has now been extradited to Rome where he will appear before a judge. Medhanie, who got his nickname because he styles himself on former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, was detained by Sudanese authorities on 24 May after the NCA tracked him down to an address in the El Diem area of Sudan’s capital Khartoum. The arrest followed an international operation involving the NCA, GCHQ, and Sudanese and Italian authorities, the NCA said in a statement.

Medhanie no doubt thought he was beyond the reach of European justice but we were able to support the Italians by tracking him down to Sudan.

Tom Dowdall

people smuggler