Egypt set to extradite Frenchman in 'Air Cocaine' scandal

Egypt is set to extradite a French national to the Dominican Republic for allegedly aiding the escape of two French pilots in the famous ‘Air Cocaine’ scandal.

On Saturday, Egyptian authorities directed the extradition of Christophe Naudin after he was arrested earlier in the month.

Following a pending arrest warrant by the Dominican Republic, media reports indicate that Naudin’s extradition process began today.

According to Naudin’s wife, she was informed of the decision and that the process would be quick.

“We have just been informed of the imminent decision of the Attorney General of Cairo in the extradition of my husband to the Dominican Republic,” Michele Naudin told AFP.

Naudin, a criminologist and aviation security expert, is among three Frenchmen accused of helping pilots Pascal Fauret and Bruno Odos escape in October while under house arrest pending appeal of a drug trafficking conviction in Dominican Republic.

Fauret and Odos were among four others sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession of cocaine with intent of trafficking.

In 2013, Dominican authorities held a jet preparing to fly to France with 26 suitcases on board containing 680 kilos of cocaine.