Dritan Rexhepi, known as the "Albanian king of cocaine", has been arrested in Istanbul.

He was wanted by Italy and Albania and carried false passports under the name Benjamin Omar Perez Garcia.

Rexhepi was arrested during an operation against the cartel called "Kompania Bello", which transported drugs from South America to Europe.

Rexhepi was captured as a result of the joint work carried out by the Directorates of Combating Narcotic Crimes, Intelligence, Anti-Smuggling of Immigrants and Border Crossings and the exchange of information with the Italian police.

He was wanted by Italy and Albania for "intentional murder", "drugs", "kidnapping", "forgery" and "arms and ammunition".

Turkish Minister of Internal Affairs Ali Yerlikaya said that it has been established that Rexhepi entered Turkey from the Istanbul airport with a Colombian passport registered in the name of Benjamin Omar Perez Garcia.

Minister Yerlikaya said that action has been taken on this matter.

Minister Yerlikaya, who announced the operation on his social media account, stated that the Istanbul police arrested the leader of the cartel in Beylikdüzü as a result of sharing information with the Italian police.

Minister Yerlikaya said: Our fight against drug traffickers and organized crime organizations will continue to grow with determination.