In an unprecedented triumph for international law enforcement, Interpol, the world’s largest international police organization, has seized drugs worth billions of dollars in Latin America. This operation, dubbed “Trigger IX”, is one of the most significant drug busts in the region and sets a new standard for cooperative efforts against illicit activities.
Operation Trigger IX: A Landmark Operation
Between March 12 and April 2, Interpol carried out its largest-ever firearms operation in Central and South America. “Operation Trigger IX”, funded by the EU, involved the unprecedented cooperation of 15 countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay1.
This operation led to the arrest of over 14,000 individuals and the seizure of thousands of illegal weapons and drugs worth billions of dollars1. During the raids, authorities discovered approximately 8,263 illicit weapons and nearly 306,000 rounds of ammunition. They also seized 203 tons of drugs and 372 tons of drug precursors with an estimated street value of $5.7 billion1.
Far-Reaching Impacts of Operation Trigger IX
The operation had far-reaching impacts beyond the arrests and seizures. It disrupted the activities of 20 criminal groups, including notorious outfits such as the Brazilian crime syndicate Primeiro Comando da Capital, the Salvadoran youth gang Mara Salvatrucha, and the Balkans Cartel1.
Interpol also reported that the operation helped uncover other crimes, including corruption, fraud, human trafficking, environmental crime, and terrorist activities. This multi-faceted impact underscores the interconnectedness of different types of criminal activities and the need for comprehensive enforcement approaches. The operation even led to the rescue of 11 trafficked people in Paraguay, shedding light on the human toll of these illegal operations1.
Insights from the Operation
The results of Operation Trigger IX provide key insights into international law enforcement efforts:
- Interconnected Crimes: The operation revealed a significant overlap between illicit firearms and drug trades. Interpol chief Jürgen Stock emphasized that the operation’s success in seizing massive quantities of drugs while targeting illicit firearms is further proof of the interconnectedness of these crimes1.
- International Cooperation: The unprecedented cooperation among 15 countries was a crucial factor in the operation’s success. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational crimes.
- Multiple Targets: Operation Trigger IX was successful in disrupting the operations of several criminal groups, demonstrating the effectiveness of broad-spectrum enforcement operations.
- Unveiling Hidden Crimes: The operation unveiled other hidden crimes like human trafficking and environmental crime, indicating the wide-ranging impacts of these criminal networks.
In conclusion, Operation Trigger IX serves as a milestone in international law enforcement efforts against illicit drug trade and other interconnected crimes. It underscores the importance of transnational cooperation and broad-spectrum enforcement strategies in combating these illegal activities.