Moldovan Ion Gușan, the leader of one of the most feared organized crime groups in Europe, captured in London
The Moldovan Ion Gușan, the head of one of the most feared organized crime groups in Europe, known as “Nicu Patron”, was captured in London. The apprehension took place near Tower Bridge, where he was with his family and driver.
Ion Gușan was arrested in London. PHOTO: Thesun.co.uk
According to the journalists of the British publication “The Sun”, 54-year-old Ion Gușan was with his family in a luxury car, driven by his driver, near Tower Bridge, in London. He was forcibly removed from the car by officers of the National Crime Agency after the vehicle was blocked by the British authorities.
The arrest ended a three-year sting during which the gangster was believed to be living in nearby Canary Wharf. His handcuffing took place in December of last year, but the information became public only now, the authorities not being willing to provide details about the operation.
Ion Gușan was placed in preventive detention by the British magistrates in January. The underworld is currently fighting his extradition.
“Gusan has operated at the highest levels of international organized crime for over 25 years. His capture is a major blow to the British authorities. The presence of the mobster in London highlights how the UK capital has become a haven for top foreign criminals”notes the quoted source.
Wanted by judicial structures in Paris
He was pursued by authorities in France, where last May he was sentenced in absentia to ten years in prison for armed robbery, violent extortion, blackmail, smuggling, money laundering and membership of an organized crime group.
Group created in the Republic of Moldova
Ion Gușan is considered the leader of an important Eastern European organized crime network called “Patron”, which has close ties to the Russian mafia. The group was founded in the Republic of Moldova in the early 2000s and later extended its tentacles throughout Europe. The network run by the underworld, also accused of trafficking migrants to Western European countries.
