The international organization based in Lyon, France, announced on Tuesday, April 18, that more than 14,000 people have been arrested and more than 8,000 firearms have been seized in a large-scale operation coordinated by Interpol in Latin America.
Raffle Grid that took place from March 12th to April 2nd as well “It allowed the seizure of 203 tons of cocaine and other drugs with an estimated value of $5.7 billion, as well as 372 tons of drug precursors.” (chemicals used in the manufacture of drugs such as heroin, cocaine and amphetamines), Interpol said in a statement.
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In all, authorities in Central and South America made 14,260 arrests and seized some 8,263 illegal firearms, as well as 305,000 rounds of ammunition during the “Biggest firearms operation ever coordinated by INTERPOL”It was called Trigger IX, according to the same source.
Dismantling 20 criminal groups
About 100,000 pieces of ammunition have been found in Uruguay, “It was trafficked internationally by European nationals, marking the largest such seizure ever in the country.”According to the same source.
“The fact that an operation targeting illegal firearms resulted in such huge drug seizures is further evidence, if necessary, that these crimes are linked.”This was confirmed by Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock in the press release.
Trigger IX has also uncovered a range of other crimes, ranging from corruption to terrorist activities, and has broken up 20 organized crime groups in different countries.
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Release of victims of human trafficking
In particular, he arrested members of the Balkan cartel, the powerful Brazilian organized crime network Primeiro Comando da Capital, and Mara Salvatrucha, the Salvadoran mafia raging in Central America and the United States, all involved in arms trafficking, according to Interpol.
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11 victims of human trafficking in Paraguay were released thanks to this raid.
About 15 countries in the region were involved in the operation, Interpol said, as well as about 100 law enforcement agencies, such as the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
