A major Antwerp cocaine figure, Omar Govers, was arrested in Dubai and is regarded as a high-value target by Belgian authorities.

Belgian investigators gathered evidence from hacked Sky ECC communications, which revealed the scale of the operation.

Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden, on a working visit to the UAE and Oman, said cooperation with authorities has already yielded tangible results.

Govers is expected to be extradited to Belgium in the near future.

Govers carries a lengthy drug-traffic record, including a 20-year sentence in April for importing 42 cocaine shipments and a 10-year sentence in June for similar activity, totaling a 53-year term.

Before relocating to Dubai, he operated from Merksem, Antwerp, building a network of street dealers and later coordinating shipments to Antwerp while involved in real estate.