FLASH NEWS
He lived like a "ghost" in Rome, how the brother of the DP MP's boss was arrested and why he is compared to the most dangerous "bloodthirsty" of the mafia
2026-02-19 14:19:34 / AKTUALITET
An Italian police operation in Rome led to the arrest of 27-year-old Markelian Hoti, brother of MP Elda Hoti, who according to Italian media is suspected of being a key part of an international cocaine trafficking organization.
His arrest has brought attention back to an investigation that began in Belgium and extends to several European countries.
According to Belgian authorities, Markelian Hoti is suspected of playing a key role in an organization specializing in cocaine trafficking from South America to Europe. The narcotics arrived at the port of Antwerp, one of the largest ports on the continent and often used by criminal networks to enter the European market.
The investigation is intensifying after the seizure of 50 kilograms of cocaine hidden in containers in Antwerp. After this operation, the 27-year-old is reported to have disappeared. In January of this year, a European arrest warrant was issued against him for "conspiracy to traffic drugs", a criminal offense that in Belgium provides for up to 15 years in prison.
Life "in the shadows" in Rome and arrest
After several months of searching, his tracks led to Italy. The investigation was finalized by the “Flying” Squad of the State Police in Rome, led by Roberto Pititto. Hoti was located in a B&B apartment on Via Giovanni Cicali, on the eastern outskirts of the Italian capital, where he was staying with his girlfriend.
According to Italian media, he had managed to live as a "ghost" because the owner of the accommodation facility had not registered his details on the police portal "Alloggiati Web", a system used to notify authorities of the identity of people staying in tourist facilities. This failure to register had made him practically invisible to regular police checks.
After his identity was confirmed, officers immediately escorted him to prison, where he will remain at the disposal of Italian judicial authorities until the completion of extradition procedures to Belgium.
Comparison with "bloodthirsty" Dave Turmel
Italian media, emphasizing his method of concealment and his profile in the investigation, have compared Hoti to Dave Turmel, known by the nickname "Pik", one of the most wanted names in Canada.
Turmel, considered by Canadian authorities to be the leader of the criminal organization “Blood Family Mafia” (BMF), was arrested in March last year in the Tor Bella Monaca area of Rome, after a period of international fugitive. He was wanted for drug trafficking and involvement in violent turf wars in Quebec, where according to local media some victims were tortured and mutilated. His arrest was made after an alert from Interpol and he is currently in the Regina Coeli prison, awaiting extradition.
The comparison between the two cases is precisely related to the fact that both were found hiding in accommodation structures on the outskirts of Rome, attempting to escape the international search.
What's next?
With the arrest in Italy, judicial authorities are now expected to review procedures for Markelian Hoti's extradition to Belgium, where he will face charges of involvement in international cocaine trafficking.
His arrest has been making headlines in our media, as he is the brother of Democratic Party MP Elda Hoti. So far, there has been no reaction from the MP, although for hours now his brother has been described online as the "head" of a criminal group involved in cocaine trafficking.
We would like to emphasize that investigations in Belgium are continuing with intensity to further unravel the entire trafficking chain, from South America to European ports and to final distribution destinations.
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