A global operation coordinated by Interpol in which twelve countries participated, carried out the capture of nine of the most wanted fugitives in Latin Americaas reported Wednesday by Interpol.
The operation was carried out within the framework of the project “Interpol support to EL PacCTO”, Interpol’s association with the assistance program against transnational organized crime financed by the European Union, which in four days – from March 1 to 4 – brought together investigators from all over Latin America and four European countries specialized in locating fugitives.
Wanted for a variety of serious crimes, including drug trafficking, money laundering and leading organized crime groups, all of the fugitives were subject to Interpol red notices.
The wave of arrests included a French citizen detained by the Argentine Federal Police in Buenos Aires, wanted by his home country on charges of money laundering, drug trafficking and links to organized crime.
Also a Peruvian citizen who was arrested in Franceaccused of recruiting and coordinating drug couriers to transfer cocaine abroad. French officers from the Brigade Nationale de Recherche des Fugitifs identified the fugitive’s home, arrested him, and he is now awaiting extradition to Peru.
Likewise, a Venezuelan citizen was arrested in Spain. He was wanted by Argentina on charges of belonging to a transnational criminal organization that commits cyber crimes against property, fraud and extortion. Spanish authorities managed to locate the individual through surveillance efforts in collaboration with transportation authorities.
What’s more, two Ecuadorian citizens were arrested in Colombia, accused of operating an organized crime group. The police action was coordinated by the Colombian National Police in the department of Putumayo, on the border between the two countries.
operational
Police forces from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, EcuadorFrance, Italy, Panama, Peru, Portugal and Spain, according to the Interpol statement.
A command center was established within the Interpol Regional Office in Buenos Aires, where this entity coordinated intensive work meetings between investigators with the aim of locate and arrest a maximum number of fugitives on a priority target list established by its Fugitive Investigative Support (FIS) unit.
For the first time, investigators from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain joined the EL PacCTO operation, and two of the nine arrests took place in France, while two other fugitives were arrested in Portugal and Spain.
“Each of these arrests is a success for our member countries. They not only make the world a safer place in a tangible way, but show what can be achieved through strong international police cooperationInterpol Executive Director of Police Services Stephen Kavanagh said in the statement.
“With operations like EL PAcCTO, Interpol aims to create a police network so wide that no fugitive can escape justice forever,” added Kavanagh.
EL PAcCTO’s partnership with INTERPOL aims to create and develop a permanent mechanism for fugitive investigations throughout Latin America.
First launched in 2018, EL PAcCTO operations coordinated by Interpol have so far led to the arrest or positive location of 121 fugitives on three continents. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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