INTERPOL OPERATION LIONFISH 2013
Channel: INTERPOL
Date: 2013-07-02

Drugs worth nearly one billion dollars seized in INTERPOL-led operation across Central America and the Caribbean

LYON, France -- Nearly 30 tonnes of cocaine, heroin and marijuana with an estimated value of USD 822 million have been seized in an INTERPOL-led operation targeting the maritime trafficking of drugs and illicit firearms by organized crime groups across Central America and the Caribbean.

Operation Lionfish, coordinated by INTERPOL's  Regional Bureau for Central America in San Salvador (El Salvador) with support from the Drugs and Criminal Organizations unit at the General Secretariat headquarters, involved some 34 countries and territories also resulted in 142 arrests, the seizure of 15 vessels, eight tonnes of chemical precursors, 42 guns and approximately USD 170,000 in cash

Two operational coordination units, at RB El Salvador and the Command Centre of the French West Indies Coastguard in Fort de France, Martinique provided real-time support for information exchange and conducting checks against INTERPOL's global databases.

Run in partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) with support from the French Coastguard, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Europol, the joint law enforcement operation was also aimed at enhancing information sharing at the regional and international levels to improve intelligence on modus operandi, routes and the identification of organized crime structures and key players.

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