It was an unexpected turn of events. Five and a half years after his escape, Joël Soudron, described by police as "one of the Caribbean drug lords in France," was located and arrested on Sunday, March 29, in Panama, Le Monde learned from French and Panamanian sources. The 46-year-old from Guadeloupe, considered one of France's main drug traffickers, had been a fugitive since September 2018. After being granted temporary leave, he never returned to his cell in the Réau prison, one hour south of Paris. He is among the top targets of the French anti-narcotics office and was using a genuine French passport under a false identity in Panama.
In a video posted by the Panamanian police, a tall man in handcuffs, wearing shorts and an orange polo shirt with white sneakers, can be seen standing with his back to the camera, flanked by officers from the Panamanian judicial police and the local Interpol office. The Panamanian police stated, "During the identity check, it was found that the individual was in possession of a temporary residence permit with false information. After further investigation, it was confirmed that he was Joël Soudron."
Aprehendimos a un ciudadano de nacionalidad francesa en la avenida Balboa, quien era requerido por su país mediante una notificación roja por delitos relacionados con la importación y el transporte de estupefacientes. #SinTregua pic.twitter.com/0qVOJURjxY
