Thai police arrested Adonis Correa, a French fugitive linked to drug lord Mohamed Amra’s violent prison escape in May 2024. Correa was apprehended in Phuket, Thailand, and is expected to be deported to France. Amra, known for his extensive criminal background, remains a key figure in ongoing investigations involving a network of suspects connected to the breakout.
Thai authorities have apprehended a French fugitive, Adonis Correa, on the island of Phuket, Thailand. His arrest is linked to a violent prison escape that liberated notorious drug lord Mohamed Amra, also known as “The Fly.” This incident marks a significant development in an extensive international manhunt initiated after Amra’s dramatic breakout from a prison van in France in May 2024.
Correa, aged 24, is regarded as a close associate of Amra, who had been labeled as France’s “public enemy number one” following his arrest in Romania the previous month after nine months on the run. Reports indicate that Correa entered Thailand on a tourist visa prior to the issuance of an arrest warrant and an Interpol red notice against him.
The Thai police stated that they tracked Correa to popular tourist areas Kamala and Patong before his arrest on Wednesday. His lawyer, Joseph Hazan, revealed that Correa voluntarily presented himself to authorities, indicating cooperation in the legal processes to follow. Authorities have since canceled his visa and are arranging for his deportation back to France.
Amra’s infamous escape from custody involved masked gunmen attacking a prison transport, resulting in the deaths of two guards and injuries to three others, shocking both the nation and the international community. Interpol had previously issued a red notice for his arrest, which ultimately led to his capture through facial recognition technology.
Amra’s criminal record is extensive, beginning at age 15 and encompassing multiple violent offenses, although none of his previous convictions directly implicated him in drug-related crimes. At the time of his initial incarceration, Amra was serving sentences for multiple serious offenses, with fresh charges pending for attempted murder and gang-related violence.
The ongoing investigation has seen the detention of at least twenty-four suspects, all linked to the breakout. Despite the absence of an extradition treaty between Thailand and France, it is anticipated that Correa will be returned to France within the coming week.
The capture of Adonis Correa in Thailand marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation into the violent prison escape of Mohamed Amra. With a significant history of violence, Amra’s involvement in organized crime continues to unfold as authorities seek justice. The international pursuit reflects the serious implications of such criminal activities and the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies across borders.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
