MANILA - Suspected drug lord Kerwin Espinosa has been transferred from the custody of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed Thursday.

Espinosa, who spent months in hiding after President Duterte named him as the leader of a drug ring in the Visayas, was nabbed by Abu Dhabi law enforcers and Filipino anti-narcotics policemen last October 17, in coordination with Interpol.

PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said Interpol and UAE authorities are now investigating whether the alleged crime boss violated any law in Abu Dhabi.

Espinosa's custody will be given to the Philippine Embassy after the probe, he added.

"Sabi ng ating chief PNP, it may take about several weeks. Sana mapabilis iyung proseso ng deportation at ma-determine na wala siyang kasong haharapin sa UAE," Carlos said.

(Our PNP chief said it may take about several weeks. I hope the deportation process goes faster and they determine he has no pending case in the UAE.)

President Duterte in August issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the surrender of Espinosa and his father, Albuera Mayor Roland Espinosa of Leyte province, after tagging them as drug coddlers.

The older Espinosa immediately surrendered to PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and confirmed that his son is involved in illegal drugs.

The younger Espinosa, also known as “Boss K” in the crime underworld, remained a fugitive until overseas Filipino workers tipped off his whereabouts to the Abu Dhabi police and PNP-AIDG.

Vingno confirmed yesterday that Espinosa first traveled to Palawan then Hong Kong, then proceeded to Dubai and later to Abu Dhabi.

The Leyte police has filed criminal complaints against the Espinosas and seven others, including three media men and a Cebu town mayor allegedly involved in Kerwin’s drug ring.