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Over 3,300 illegal firearms, 56 tonnes of drugs seized in INTERPOL-led operation in the Americas
(Kaieteur News) – Twenty countries in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean seized 3,308 illegal firearms and 56 tonnes of illegal drugs in a major police operation, coordinated by INTERPOL, with the support of the Organisation of American States (OAS).
Operation Orca XI was conducted from October 15 to November 30, 2025. INTERPOL led operational coordination, while the OAS facilitated regional collaboration, with funding from the European Union (EU).
Firearms trafficking in the region is linked to other forms of criminal activity, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and cybercrime.
The operation was also done in collaboration with the Commission of Central American, Mexican, Caribbean and Colombian police chiefs.
Guyana was among the 20 participating countries. The other countries include: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and Uruguay.
In preparation for the operation, INTERPOL assisted participating countries in analysing firearms trafficking intelligence, developing national threat assessments and coordinating cross-border information exchange to facilitate regional collaboration.
In addition to firearms seizures, participating authorities reported 8,701 arrests related to firearm and drug possession or trafficking, as well as various other crimes and offences. Officers also seized nearly 200,000 rounds of ammunition, USD$ 256,025 in cash and 210 vehicles.
Firearms trafficking in the region is inextricably linked to other forms of criminal activity, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, migrant smuggling and cybercrime. The organised criminal groups and gangs behind these crimes frequently utilise the same trafficking routes for multiple illicit commodities.
Operation Orca XI highlighted this connection, with ten participating countries also reporting significant drug seizures, including: 6.9 tonnes of cocaine, 659,403 units of coca plants, 9.3 tonnes of cocaine base paste, 38.5 tonnes of marijuana, 2 tonnes of methamphetamine and 11 kg of ketamine.
Commenting on the operation, INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said, “The thousands of firearms removed from circulation thanks to operation Orca XI and the significant quantities of drugs seized, represent real progress in the fight against organised crime. INTERPOL’s commitment remains to support law enforcement agencies with the intelligence, tools and coordination they need to stay ahead of these evolving threats.”
Albert R. Ramdin, Secretary General of OAS, noted, “This is what success looks like when hemispheric coordination and world-class technical and operational capacity join forces: thousands of firearms off the streets, drugs seized, and safer communities. Operation Orca XI proves that international cooperation and information sharing get results – and our security frameworks must continue delivering. The OAS stands ready to support member states with partners like INTERPOL for the benefit of the Americas.”
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- Cybercrime, drug trafficking, drugs, human trafficking, illegal firearms, Interpol, migrant smuggling
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