In a dramatic turn of events, one of Europe’s most wanted drug lords, Marco Ebben, was shot and killed near Mexico City.

The 32-year-old Dutch national had previously faked his death to evade capture and had been living in Mexico under a false identity since 2023. His death marks the end of an international manhunt that had persisted since his conviction in 2020.

Background and Criminal Activities

Marco Ebben was a prominent figure in the international drug trade, orchestrating significant cocaine smuggling operations from Brazil to the Netherlands between 2014 and 2015. In 2020, he was sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in smuggling 400 kilograms of cocaine concealed in pineapple shipments. However, following his conviction, Ebben managed to flee Europe, leading authorities on a global chase. He had been on Europol’s “most wanted fugitives” list due to his extensive involvement in drug trafficking.

Life on the Run and Fake Death

To avoid arrest, Ebben went into hiding and, in a bold move, faked his own death in October 2024. He staged his demise during a violent conflict between factions of the Sinaloa Cartel in Culiacán, a known cartel stronghold. This ruse allowed him to live undetected in Mexico under an assumed identity. During this period, he was suspected of maintaining close ties with the Sinaloa Cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficking organizations.

Demise in Mexico

Despite his efforts to remain concealed, Ebben’s past caught up with him. He was shot and killed in a parking lot of an upscale residential complex in Atizapán de Zaragoza, just outside Mexico City. While the exact circumstances of his death are still under investigation, initial reports suggest that he may have been targeted by rival gang members. An image circulating online allegedly shows his body at the scene, highlighting the violent end of a man who once managed to elude international law enforcement through cunning deception.

Implications and Ongoing Investigations

Ebben’s death underscores the perilous and volatile nature of the drug trafficking world, where alliances are fragile, and betrayal often leads to violent outcomes. His ability to fake his own death and live undetected for an extended period raises questions about the effectiveness of international law enforcement collaboration and the challenges faced in tracking high-profile fugitives. Authorities are now focusing on unraveling the network of contacts and operations he maintained during his time in Mexico, aiming to dismantle any remaining associates and prevent further illicit activities.

The demise of Marco Ebben brings a close to the chapter of one of Europe’s most elusive drug lords. It serves as a stark reminder of the relentless efforts required by international law enforcement agencies to combat global drug trafficking and the lengths to which criminals will go to evade justice.