Police in the Indian state of Kerala arrested a Lithuanian national who is wanted in the US for running Garantex, a sanctioned crypto exchange.

WASHINGTON, DC – A high-profile international fugitive is now in Indian custody as authorities arrested Lithuanian national Aleksej Besciokov, wanted by the United States for allegedly facilitating large-scale money laundering through a cryptocurrency exchange tied to cybercriminals, drug traffickers, and terrorist networks.

The CBI, in collaboration with Kerala Police, has arrested US-wanted Lithuanian national Aleksej Besciokov in Thiruvananthapuram for allegedly laundering criminal proceeds through the cryptocurrency exchange Garantex.

Lithuanian national Besciokov was charged with money laundering and faces accusations of violating sanctions & operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business in the US.

Police in India have arrested a cryptocurrency exchange administrator wanted in the US for alleged money laundering and sanctions violations, the country's top investigative agency said.

Authorities in India have arrested a cryptocurrency exchange administrator wanted by the US for allegedly helping cybercriminals launder money and violate sanctions. Aleksej Besciokov, a Lithuanian citizen and Russian resident, was arrested in the southern state of Kerala on Tuesday, India's top investigative agency said.

Alexsej Besciokov, the Lithuanian co-founder of the sanctioned cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, was arrested in India. He faces charges of money laundering and conspiracy, linked to billions in illicit funds.

Indian authorities have arrested a Lithuanian man wanted by the US for allegedly running a $96 billion cryptocurrency exchange that allowed terrorist organizations, drug traffickers and cybercriminals to launder money.

CBI said that a request had been submitted by the USA to trace and arrest the Lithuanian. The cooperation comes close on the heels of 26/11 co-conspirator Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India