Interpol Operation Seizes 615 Tons of Drugs

Interpol's Operation Lionfish Hurricane has resulted in the arrest of over 200 individuals and the seizure of illegal drugs and precursor chemicals valued at approximately $1.6 billion during a two-month effort across Europe, North America, and Africa. The operation, conducted in April and May 2024, led to the confiscation of 615 tons of illegal substances, including a record 505 tons of precursor chemicals essential for drug and explosive production. Among the significant finds were 65 stolen vehicles, 30,000 commercial-grade detonators, and a homemade narco-submarine discovered in Guyana. Jürgen Stock, Interpol's Secretary-General, emphasized the operation's scale, noting the seized drug value exceeds the GDP of some countries. Funded by the British Home Office, this initiative involved collaboration from 31 countries and is part of a series of Lionfish operations initiated in 2013. The extensive nature of the seizures underscores the complex relationship between drug trafficking and broader security threats.