Interpol operation against arms trafficking: over 14,000 arrests throughout Latin America

The largest operation against illicit arms trafficking carried out by Interpol has resulted in 14,260 arrests throughout Latin America, the transnational police agency has confirmed in a statement.

In addition, 8,263 illicit weapons and around 305,000 rounds of ammunition have been seized in an operation that has confiscated drugs worth US$5.7 billion.

For Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock, seizing such a large quantity of drugs in a weapons-focused operation “is further proof, if we need more, that these crimes are intertwined”.

Under the name Trigger IX, the Interpol-coordinated operation ran from March 12 to April 2 and involved the cooperation of 15 states, something never seen before.

In addition to crimes related to arms possession and trafficking and drugs, corruption, fraud, human trafficking, environmental crimes, and terrorist activities have been identified.

As a result of the investigations, authorities have opened more than 30 new cases and identified 15 new methods used by criminal groups for the illicit manufacture and transport of firearms.

With information from LGI

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