Police in Guyana have arrested a 49-year-old Surinamese Dutchman, who was wanted by Italy for ties to the mafia and cocaine trade.

It concerns Vitesh Guptar, born in Nickerie, Guyanese media report. He is in possession of a Dutch passport issued in The Hague.

Guptar is suspected of large-scale international cocaine trafficking via Brazil, Guyana and Suriname, among others.

Police confirmed that, Guptar who is on Interpol’s Red Notice was arrested by ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Thursday at a popular night spot on Main Street Georgetown.

According the reports Guptar is alleged to be part of the “Ndrangheta,” one of the largest and most powerful mafia organizations in the world, operating out of Italy and would visit Guyana and Suriname regularly.

Reportedly during the period January 2015–June 2018, Guptar was wanted for his alleged participation in the Transnational Mafia, a type of criminal conspiracy aimed at international drug trafficking.

It is alleged that the suspect, along with others, imported, transported, illegally possessed, and sold considerable quantities of cocaine in Italy.The drugs originated in Colombia, Guyana, Brazil, and Suriname. It reportedly passed through the Netherlands and Belgium.