DEA's Bold Move: Extradition of Notorious Drug Baron from Lisbon

DEA Takes Action in Lisbon

On January 26, 2024, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the United States made headlines by personally extraditing R.S.K., a notorious Canadian drug baron, from Lisbon. This unprecedented action marked the first time the DEA has conducted such an operation in Portugal, according to sources close to the case.

In 2023, R.S.K., one of the most wanted drug traffickers in the U.S., was apprehended at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon. Authorities discovered that the 43-year-old had in his possession various documents and items deemed to have significant evidential value in ongoing investigations in the United States.

Unconventional Extradition Process

In a bid to prevent any risk of escape during the extradition process, the DEA opted for a unique approach: instead of transferring R.S.K. to a commercial flight under standard escort, they dispatched their own aircraft to retrieve him directly.

Growing DEA Presence in Portugal

The DEA has been active in Portugal since 2010, with an increasing number of investigations focused on drug trafficking routes. Recent cases, including that of drug trafficker Rúben Oliveira, also known as “Xuxas,” who received a 20-year prison sentence for drug trafficking, showcase the effectiveness of the DEA's collaboration with Portuguese authorities. Information shared by the U.S. helped dismantle one of Europe’s largest cocaine production labs, capable of producing up to 200 kg of cocaine per day.