Fugitive on Europe's most wanted list is captured in Mexico

Crime Accused drug trafficker considered one of Europe's most wanted fugitives is captured in Mexico Updated on: April 20, 2026 / 6:23 AM EDT / CBS/AFP Add CBS News on Google A Hungarian suspected drug trafficker on the list of Europe's most wanted fugitives has been arrested in Mexico, the Latin American country's public security chief said Saturday.Janos Balla, also known as Daniel Takacs, was taken into custody in the beach resort city of Cancun on the Yucatan peninsula, Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said in a post on X, calling the suspect one of Europe's top 10 most wanted suspects.Interpol had issued a red notice for Balla, and Europol had issued a formal arrest warrant, his ministry said in a statement.The Hungarian national, 48, stands accused of running a criminal organization specializing in cocaine and ecstasy trafficking, from at least mid-2014 through April 2015, according to Europol. Mexican authorities published pictures in which Balla -- wearing a shirt with a palm tree pattern and sporting a sparse beard -- appears to be escorted by police and security forces. Derivado de intercambio de información con autoridades de Hungría, se detuvo a János Balla, alias “Dániel Takács” considerado uno de los 10 más buscados en Europa. Cuenta con ficha roja de @INTERPOL_HQ y orden de arresto emitida por Europol. Esta detención fue una operación… pic.twitter.com/1hlwi5EodV— Omar H Garcia Harfuch (@OHarfuch) April 18, 2026 State and federal authorities in a joint statement said Balla was located thanks to information shared by Hungarian security agencies, as well as intelligence and investigative work. They said he was turned over to Mexico's immigration agency "to determine his immigration status and continue his controlled deportation process to Europe."It was not immediately clear if Balla has legal representation.Ballo's capture marks the latest high-profile arrest of a fug...