Over 14,000 arrests, more than 200 tons of cocaine: a major blow against organized crime!

Foz do Iguaçu - In a mega operation, police forces in Central and South America are taking action against gangs and cartels. The results are impressive: over 14,000 arrests, more than 8,000 weapons confiscated and narcotics worth 5.7 billion dollars seized.

Whether as a means of payment or to protect important trade routes, illegal firearms are at the heart of organized crime.
Whether as a means of payment or to protect important trade routes, illegal firearms are at the heart of organized crime.  © Interpol

In an operation coordinated by the international police organization Interpol, security authorities in Latin America have succeeded in striking a major blow against organized crime.

As part of the "Trigger IX" operation between mid-March and early April, 203 tons of cocaine and other drugs worth 5.7 billion US dollars were seized in the region, as Interpol announced on Tuesday (local time).

During the operations in Central and South America, 14,260 suspects were arrested and 8,263 illegal weapons and 305,000 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.

It was the largest operation against illegal firearms ever coordinated by Interpol.

During the operation, Interpol brought together weapons experts from the countries involved in the border town of Foz do Iguaçu in the border triangle between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay to manage the operation.

"Brazil currently has a major problem with the illegal import of firearms across the border," said Marcus Vinicius Bantas from the Brazilian Federal Police. "These weapons are used for all kinds of crimes, including murders."

Security forces from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay were involved in the operation. Operation "Trigger IX" was financed by the European Union.

With the help of drug-sniffing dogs, officers searched thousands of cars and homes.
With the help of drug-sniffing dogs, officers searched thousands of cars and homes.  © Interpol
The bulging boxes and cartons piled up after the operation.
The bulging boxes and cartons piled up after the operation.  © Interpol
In the largest firearms operation ever coordinated by Interpol, more than 8000 illegal firearms were confiscated.
In the largest firearms operation ever coordinated by Interpol, more than 8000 illegal firearms were confiscated.  © Interpol

Interpol shares video of operation "Trigger IX" on Twitter

20 criminal organizations targeted: Crime intertwined!

The authorities arrested more than 14,000 people.
The authorities arrested more than 14,000 people.  © Interpol

The forces took action against 20 criminal organizations, including the Brazilian crime syndicate Primeiro Comando da Capital, the Salvadoran youth gang Mara Salvatrucha and the Balkan cartel, which is also active in South America. Following the operation, the law enforcement authorities involved opened around 30 investigations.

"The fact that an operation targeting illegal firearms led to such massive seizures of drugs is further proof that these crimes are intertwined," said Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock.

"The organized crime networks behind all these illegal activities have only one priority: profit. We as law enforcement agencies must be equally determined to dismantle them in every region and around the world."

Also fueled by drug trafficking, Latin America is one of the most dangerous regions in the world.

The operation also uncovered a number of other crimes such as corruption, fraud, human trafficking, environmental crime and terrorist activities.
The operation also uncovered a number of other crimes such as corruption, fraud, human trafficking, environmental crime and terrorist activities.  © Interpol

"Only 13 percent of the world's population lives in the Americas, but 37 percent of all homicides worldwide are committed there," said Interpol weapons expert Line Haidar. "Two thirds of all murders in America are committed with firearms."