Interpol has announced the successful outcome of Operation Lionfish Hurricane, a two-month operation targeting narcotics trafficking across Europe, North America, and Africa. During the operation, over 200 individuals were arrested, and approximately $1.6 billion worth of illegal drugs and precursor chemicals were seized. The international police organization, headquartered in Lyon, France, shared that a total of 615 tons of illegal drugs and chemicals were confiscated during this extensive crackdown.
Aside from the significant drug seizures, Operation Lionfish Hurricane also resulted in the apprehension of 206 suspects. Law enforcement officials also seized 65 stolen vehicles, around 30,000 commercial-grade detonators diverted from military or commercial mining, and uncovered a “narco-sub” in the jungles of Guyana. A narco-sub is a handmade semi-submersible vessel commonly used for transporting cocaine through South American waterways and across the Atlantic.
Interpol’s Secretary-General, Jürgen Stock, emphasized the magnitude of the issue faced by law enforcement, stating that the value of drugs seized during this operation surpasses the GDP of some nations. This highlights the immense scope of the challenge in combating drug trafficking. To address this issue, the operation focused on seizing precursor chemicals essential for manufacturing drugs and explosives, resulting in a record 505 tons of these chemicals being confiscated.
Operation Lionfish Hurricane is part of a series of operations under the “Lionfish” initiative that dates back to 2013. The successful operation, supported by funding from the British Home Office, involved collaboration between 31 countries and various international organizations. The operation’s effectiveness in disrupting drug trafficking networks and seizing illegal substances underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating such criminal activities.
