Dutch Drug Lord Ridouan Taghi Sentenced to Life in Historic Trial

After nearly six years, the Marengo trial concludes with the conviction of Taghi and 16 accomplices for a series of murders, highlighting the violent drug trade in the Netherlands.

Ridouan Taghi, once the Netherlands' most-wanted fugitive, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for leading a notorious drug cartel involved in a series of murders.
The trial, known as the Marengo trial, concluded after nearly six years, marking one of the largest in Dutch criminal history.
Taghi and 16 accomplices were convicted of six murders, with three receiving life sentences and the rest varying terms.
The trial exposed the violent underbelly of the Netherlands' drug trade, leading to calls for a reevaluation of drug policies.
Taghi's conviction is seen as a significant victory for Dutch law enforcement, but experts warn that it may not significantly disrupt the drug trade.