The End of Mohamed Amra’s Run: Arrest in Bucharest After Nine Months on the Run

A Fugitive Caught Preparing to Escape to Colombia

After more than nine months on the run, Mohamed Amra was arrested on Saturday, February 22, in Bucharest, as he was preparing to undergo plastic surgery to change his appearance before fleeing to Colombia. Convicted 13 times for drug trafficking, Amra had escaped authorities during a deadly ambush in Incarville, in the Eure region of France, where two prison officers lost their lives and three others were injured.

French authorities, alerted to a possible escape abroad, had issued an Interpol red notice. Within 48 hours, Romanian police located, identified, and arrested the fugitive near a shopping center in the capital, despite his altered appearance: dyed hair and beard, round glasses, and discreet clothing. His identity was confirmed through facial recognition and fingerprint analysis.

An Imminent Return to France and a Dismantled Network

Presented to a Romanian judge the following day, Amra agreed to his extradition to France, which is expected to occur within 30 days. “He does not admit to the charges but wishes to respect the decision of the French authorities who want to try him,” said his lawyer, Maria Marcu.

At the same time, a large-scale operation led to the arrest of ten people in France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Some suspects are accused of participating in the prison van ambush, while others allegedly helped Amra evade capture. Weapons, including a Kalashnikov-type rifle, and mobile phones were seized for further investigation.

International Cooperation Praised

This arrest marks the culmination of exemplary cooperation between French, Romanian, and international law enforcement agencies. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau highlighted the importance of this swift and effective coordination, while the families of the slain prison officers expressed their relief.

In response, the government is considering stricter measures to prevent such escapes in the future: the creation of an ultra-secure detention regime and the opening of a prison dedicated to the most dangerous drug traffickers by summer.

Mohamed Amra, a symbol of violent organized crime, will soon face justice in France, bringing an end to a manhunt that mobilized law enforcement across Europe.