Cape Town – A 41-year-old convicted drug trafficker was arrested in Cape Town on Friday morning by the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Intervention Unit, following years of hiding in South Africa after fleeing a prison sentence in Europe.
Bulgarian national Stanislav Stamenov was convicted in Romania in 2009 and sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment for his role in a large organised criminal group involved in heroin trafficking.
According to a SAPS statement, Stamenov “was part of a large criminal organised group involved in the trafficking of heroin into Romania” but fled shortly after his conviction.
#sapsHQ A 41yr-old, convicted drug trafficker was arrested on Friday morning at his home by the SAPS National Intervention Unit (NIU) in Cape Town. Stanislav Stamenov, a Bulgarian national, was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment in Romania in 2009 but fled the country shortly… pic.twitter.com/Nvx3SB2jzb
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) February 27, 2026
Authorities said the fugitive had been living in Cape Town for several years and was working as a gym instructor at several well-known fitness clubs while evading international law enforcement.
“It’s believed that he was hiding in Cape Town for several years where he was now working as a gym instructor in several well-known fitness clubs,” SAPS said.
The arrest followed the activation of an Interpol red notice, a global alert issued to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and detain wanted fugitives.
The suspect is currently in custody and is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate Court on Monday for extradition proceedings.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
