Interpol operation results in 206 arrests and seizure of illegal drugs and chemicals worth $1.6 billion

According to Interpol, more than 200 people were arrested and about $1.6 billion worth of illegal drugs and precursor chemicals were seized in a two-month operation against drug trafficking in Europe, North America and Africa.

LYON, France — Interpol said more than 200 people were arrested and about $1.6 billion worth of illegal drugs and precursor chemicals were seized in Europe, North America and Africa during a two-month operation to crack down on drug trafficking.

The international police organization based in Lyon, France, said 615 tons of illegal drugs and chemicals were seized during Operation Lionfish Hurricane in April and May.

In addition, the operation resulted in the arrest of 206 people and the seizure of 65 stolen cars, about 30,000 commercial detonators diverted from military or commercial mining, and a “narco-sub” – a homemade semi-submersible vessel used to transport cocaine through South American waterways and across the Atlantic – in the jungles of Guyana, Interpol said.

“The value of the drugs seized in this two-month operation is greater than the gross domestic product of some countries, which clearly shows the scale of the problem facing law enforcement agencies,” said Jürgen Stock, chairman of the 196-member organization, in a statement. World Bank statistics show that fewer than 20 of the world’s smallest countries have an economic output of less than $1.6 billion.

According to Interpol, a record 505 tonnes of precursor chemicals used to make drugs and explosives were seized.

The operation, part of a series of “Lionfish” operations since 2013, was funded by the UK Home Office and involved 31 countries, along with other international organisations.