First, 1,835 kilograms of cocaine on a vessel. Then, an international investigation into the financial infrastructure, 21 people arrested and assets worth approximately 20 million euros. The name of Asif Abdul Razzak has emerged at the centre of reports concerning Dubai Bank, but his wanted notice must be read in conjunction with more recent news.
Key points of the case
| Background | Details |
|---|---|
| Name in sources | Asif Abdul Razzaq |
| The region involved and international links | Spain; financial links with the UAE |
| Status based on verified reports | The media reported his arrest in Dubai on 8 September 2026; the European arrest warrant remains in force; his subsequent legal status is unknown |
What links Asif Abdul Razzak to Nehir?
In the Spanish alert, Razzak is credited with an operational and financial role in the so-called Dubai Bank. It mentions 1,835 kilograms of cocaine in 92 packages and the alleged financial transactions that facilitated the shipment on the vessel Nehir. [1]
The investigators’ theory describes a network of intermediaries, hawala-style transactions and crypto-assets. The name ‘Dubai Bank’ refers to an alleged informal network; it cannot be described as a licensed bank on the basis of this profile. [1]
The suspect’s file
The dossier was compiled based on an earlier wanted notice. The discrepancies with subsequent reports of the arrest are explained in this article.
The sunken vessel and the second hidden consignment
The Spanish Ministry of the Interior describes the start of the investigation in 2021. After the cocaine was discovered, the vessel Nehir was towed to Gijón; it sank as a result of taking on water. The investigation later established the existence of another hidden consignment – approximately 1,650 kilograms – which, according to the ministry, members of the network retrieved from the sunken vessel. [2]
This part of the story explains why the case did not end with the initial seizure. Investigators had to establish the subsequent movements of the cargo and the people facilitating the operation. The sizes of the first and second consignments reflect different episodes in the discovery and handling of the cargo.
What has been officially reported about Operation Drakkar
In September 2026, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior reported that 21 people had been arrested in an international operation. In Spain, the main phase took place on 22 July, when 15 people were arrested. Arrest warrants executed abroad led to arrests in the UAE, Egypt and the Netherlands. [2]
The official description mentions property, cars and bank accounts. The total value of assets identified, seized or frozen is estimated at around 20 million euros. These figures relate to the operation as a whole and do not constitute a published estimate of Razzak’s personal wealth. [2]
Has Razzak been arrested, or is he still wanted?
Reports dated 8 September mentioned Razzak’s arrest in Dubai. His name is explicitly mentioned in the article about the international operation, whilst official reports on the arrested network leader do not disclose all individual identifiers. [3]
At the same time, the European arrest warrant dated 7 September remains accessible, marked as ‘failure to appear in court’. This discrepancy means that it cannot be used without reservation as evidence that Razzak was at liberty in November. The most accurate way to put it is: the media reported his arrest; the current pre-trial measure and subsequent decision are not established in verified sources. [1][3]
Why did the investigation move from the shipment to the money?
Editorial conclusion: the seizure of the consignment reveals the final physical outcome, whilst the financial trail allows us to investigate how the shipment was organised and paid for. Drakkar is therefore of interest as an attempt to trace the links between the drug-trafficking incident and the network that facilitated it.
The key developments lie in the documents relating to the handover of those detained, the individual charges and the rulings on the frozen assets. It is these that will reveal which specific roles the investigation will be able to confirm individually, rather than merely describing them under the general heading of ‘Dubai Bank’.
A timeline of key events
| Date | The incident |
|---|---|
| February 2021 | The investigation began following the interception of the Nehir. |
| 22.07.2026 | The main phase of the arrests took place in Spain. |
| 07.09.2026 | The date of Razzak’s individual European profile. |
| 08.09.2026 | Reports on the international operation and media coverage of Razzak’s arrest. |
Frequently asked questions
What role does Dubai Bank play in this case?
This is what law enforcement agencies call the alleged informal financial network. It is not the official name of a licensed bank. [1]
Can the 20 million euros be considered Razzak’s personal assets?
No. This figure represents the total assets of the international operation as a whole. [2]
Other international cases in the archive
This article was compiled on 4 November 2026 based on the publications listed. Allegations and suspicions are attributed to sources; the final determination of guilt is a matter for the courts.
