*INTERPOL border security operation yields record arrests, vital information on terrorist travel* _Mediterranean counter-terror operation targeted air, sea and land borders_ *LYON, France* – 328 individuals subject to INTERPOL Notices and Diffusions, including 57 with suspected links to terrorism, have been identified following border checks at over 70 locations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. A total of 20 countries took part in Operation Neptune VII (July - September 2025), coordinated by INTERPOL in cooperation with Europol, Frontex and the World Customs Organization (WCO), and aimed at tightening border security around maritime routes across the Mediterranean Sea, and at airports and land borders in the region. The operation ran for around two weeks in each country and achieved a significant increase in both the number of checks against INTERPOL databases – 30 million compared to 16 million in 2024 – and arrests – a total of 153, up from 66. Among those arrested was Igor Grechushkin, the owner of the cargo ship that carried the ammonium nitrate behind the 2020 Beirut explosion, which killed at least 218 people and injured over 6,000. He was detained at Sofia airport in Bulgaria on the basis of a Red Notice issued by Lebanon, where he faces multiple charges, including acts of terrorism. Extradition proceedings are ongoing. ➡️🔗 https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2025/INTERPOL-border-security-operation-yields-record-arrests-vital-information-on-terrorist-travel A further 23 arrests were linked to INTERPOL Red Notices or Red Diffusions – which can form the basis for a provisional arrest - for crimes including drugs and involvement in criminal organizations. They included the detention at the Spanish port of Algeciras of two individuals wanted respectively for terrorism and drugs-related offences. *Tracking Foreign Terrorist Fighters on the move across borders* Neptune VII also provided law enforcement agencies with significant information allowing them to analyse and track the movements of Foreign Terrorist Fighters, particularly thanks to the publication of Blue Notices and Diffusions. Unlike a Red Notice, these are requests between INTERPOL member countries to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities, in relation to a criminal investigation. A total of 10 Blue Notices for suspects connected to terrorism were published during the operation, and checks against INTERPOL databases in several countries led to “hits” providing further information on almost 60 suspected Foreign Terrorist Fighters and their movements. The operation also uncovered information on a number of individuals with connections to terrorism who were previously not recorded in INTERPOL databases. INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said: _“Terrorist groups aim to create fear, endanger the safety of individuals and entire regions, often profiting from organized crime to fund their activities. However, this operation demonstrates the strength of law enforcement cooperation in countering such threats. We remain dedicated to protecting global security by providing our member countries with the information, tools and support they need to identify and bring terrorists to justice."_ *High value seizures from travel documents to luxury cars* The operation also led to significant seizures involving both terrorist activities and other serious crimes. Crosschecks against INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database led to 130 “hits”, including a large number of stolen blank documents which had previously been reported as seized by terrorist groups operating in the Middle East. Other seizures ranged from 220 kg of marijuana to 20 kg of silver bullion, USD 130,000 in cash and numerous stolen luxury vehicles. High value goods, drugs and cash are often used to fund criminal and terrorist activities.

*Brazilian authorities dismantle hundreds of illegal dredges in major anti-mining operation* _Criminal organizations operating along the Madeira River dealt financial blow_ *LYON, France –* INTERPOL has supported the first operation coordinated by the Amazon International Police Cooperation Centre (CCPI Amazônia) in Brazil against illegal gold mining in the Amazon Basin. In a significant blow to criminal organizations, law enforcement disabled 277 dredges used in illegal gold extraction along the Madeira River, worth an estimated USD 6.8 million. When factoring in equipment losses, recent gold extraction, environmental and social damages, as well as disrupted profits, the total economic impact on criminal organizations is estimated at approximately USD 193 million. Importantly, the operation provided authorities with valuable intelligence to identify and dismantle the financial and logistical networks behind illegal mining. This is crucial to disrupting the criminal organizations, rather than individual workers, who are often vulnerable and subject to exploitation. ➡️🔗 https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2025/Brazilian-authorities-dismantle-hundreds-of-illegal-dredges-in-major-anti-mining-operation Led by the Brazilian Federal Police, the operation brought together more than 100 officers across operational, tactical and analytical roles, working in close collaboration with national and international authorities. Using intelligence and satellite data, authorities mapped over 400 square kilometres of river and forest territory heavily impacted by illegal mining. INTERPOL supported the operation with real-time database checks and analysis while facilitating information sharing and communication to strengthen trust and collaboration. An INTERPOL Purple Notice, warning of the detection of a new modus operandi to facilitate transnational gold-smuggling, was published as a direct result of field activities. INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said: _“This operation marks a new chapter in our collective effort to protect the Amazon, and is a clear signal that international cooperation via CCPI Amazônia is not just a concept, it is concrete action.”_ _“United, we can confront the criminal networks that threaten communities and our environment, and INTERPOL remains a steadfast partner in this fight.”_ Humberto Freire de Barros, Director of Amazon and Environment Protection of the Brazilian Federal Police said: _“This operation, the first coordinated by the CCPI Amazônia, demonstrates the Centre's capacity to aggregate the efforts of various institutions responsible for combating crime in the Pan-Amazon region. This coordinated work aims not only to disrupt criminal activities but also to enhance investigations and ensure that those involved in the illegal chain are brought to justice.”_ During the operation, samples of sand, fabric, and other materials used in gold extraction were collected and submitted for forensic analysis to identify their composition, detect hazardous substances such as mercury and cyanide, and trace their origin. A forensic expert also obtained biological samples from residents to evaluate mercury exposure and assess the potential impact of illegal mining on their health. INTERPOL continues to support follow-up investigations and any additional joint actions.

*Americas: Environmental crime operation leads to 225 arrests, identifies hundreds more suspects* _Seizures include live animals, timber, weapons_ *SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador –* An INTERPOL-coordinated operation targeting a range of environmental crimes in the Americas has led to the arrest of 225 individuals, with several more hundred identified for follow-up action. Operation Madre Tierra VII (1 May to 30 June 2025), led by INTERPOL’s Regional Bureau for Central America with support from the Environmental Security unit, brought together officers from nine countries to identify suspects and cases, share intelligence and target known hotspots. Preliminary results show that more than 400 environmental crimes were reported, including: * 203 for forestry and illegal logging * 138 for wildlife trafficking * 26 for illegal fishing * 23 for illegal mining * 16 for pollution crimes Authorities also identified 15 transnational cases and multiple trafficking routes to Europe and Asia. Seizures included birds, reptiles, turtles, primates, big cats, along with 2.4 tonnes of shark and ray fins, 875kg of totoaba, and 7kg of dried sea cucumber, highlighting the continued exploitation of protected species for international trade. ➡️🔗 https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2025/Americas-Environmental-crime-operation-leads-to-225-arrests-identifies-hundreds-more-suspects Timber such as pine, oak, guanacaste, laurel and cypress were confiscated, along with high-value CITES-listed cedarwood and rosewood. While cedar typically sells for between USD 200 and 900 per cubic metre, rosewood can command significantly higher prices on the international black market, ranging from around USD 800 per cubic metre to as much as USD 6,000 per cubic metre, depending on quality. Authorities also detected deforestation hotspots exceeding 50,000 hectares, linked to organized crime networks operating across continents. One major case in Panama exposed large-scale illegal gold mining, involving child labour, human trafficking and mercury contamination. Additional investigations uncovered mercury smuggling and widespread pollution of water sources, posing risks to public health and the environment. Weapons, vehicles, boats, and communication equipment were also seized. A comprehensive analytical report detailing the outcomes of the operation will be presented to specialized officers in late November to review final results and coordinate case follow-up.

*83 arrests in landmark African operation against terrorism financing* _The six-country operation was coordinated by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL_ *LYON, France –* A first-of-its-kind operation targeting terrorism financing and the illegal activity supporting it, has led to 83 arrests across six African countries and the identification of 160 persons of interest. Operation Catalyst (July – September 2025) aimed to identify and disrupt financial flows and schemes found to have connections to terrorism financing and its support networks. Of the 83 arrests, 21 were for terrorism-related crimes, 28 were for financial fraud and money laundering, 16 were linked to cyber-enabled scams and a further 18 were related to the illicit use of virtual assets. Over the two-month operation, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and AFRIPOL, authorities across participating countries screened more than 15,000 persons of interest and entities, uncovering around USD 260 million in both fiat and virtual currencies potentially linked to terrorism-related activities. Approximately USD 600,000 has already been seized, with additional investigations underway to trace and recover further assets. ➡️🔗 https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2025/83-arrests-in-landmark-African-operation-against-terrorism-financing Tackling terrorist financing is particularly complex for law enforcement, as it often cuts across diverse criminal activities, including fraud, kidnapping for ransom, illicit trade, online scams, Ponzi schemes and the misuse of virtual assets. These illegal activities can be linked to terrorism financing directly—when terrorist groups receive funds from such schemes—or indirectly, through money laundering or intermediary networks. These connections highlight how different forms of crime are increasingly intertwined, underscoring the need for a united and coordinated response. To tackle this multifaceted threat, participating countries shared intelligence on significant targets at the pre-operation phase. This was supplemented by strategic cyber intelligence from INTERPOL and AFRIPOL with key data from private-sector entities Binance, Moody’s and Uppsala Security. INTERPOL Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said: _“Operation Catalyst is the first time, financial crime, cybercrime and counter-terrorism units from multiple African countries have joined forces with INTERPOL and AFRIPOL to target the financing of terrorism. By sharing intelligence, expertise and resources, we can more effectively identify and disrupt the financial flows that support terrorist activities to stay one step ahead of these threats and keep our communities safe.”_ Ambassador Jalel Chelba, AFRIPOL’s Executive Director said: _“The success of Operation Catalyst lies in the synergy and convergence of efforts among national units combating financial crime, cybercrime, and terrorism. This joint endeavour, dedicated to disrupting the financing of terrorism across the African continent, illustrates how coordinated action between Member States, facilitated by AFRIPOL and INTERPOL, can effectively address complex and evolving security threats. Such cooperation stands as tangible proof that Africa’s law-enforcement community, when united, offers a decisive and appropriate response in the pursuit of a secure and stable Africa.”_ *Operational highlights: High-value global scams linked to terrorism financing* In one significant case from Angola, 25 individuals of multiple nationalities were detained following investigations into informal value transfer systems that were identified as connected to potential terrorist financing and money laundering. The operation included the inspection of 30 commercial establishments, where police seized approximately USD 588,000, 100 mobile phones and 40 computers. Sixty bank accounts were also frozen. In Kenya, a suspected money laundering operation using a virtual asset service provider was identified as having potential links to terrorism financing. The scheme, worth approximately USD 430,000, involved 12 people, two of whom have so far been arrested. In a separate case in Kenya, two individuals were arrested for the online recruitment of young people from East and North Africa into terrorist groups. The funds used for the recruitment and radicalization were traced through a cryptocurrency trading platform, back to individuals in Tanzania. In Nigeria, the operation led to the arrest of 11 suspected terrorists, including high-level members of several terrorist groups. One notable transnational case involved a massive cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme, which claimed to be a legitimate online trading platform, affected at least 17 countries around the word, including Cameroon, Kenya, and Nigeria. The scheme accumulated more than 100,000 victims around the world, with an estimated loss to victims of USD 562 million. The investigations related to Operation Catalyst found that several large-valued wallets were potentially linked to terrorism financing activities. The case is still ongoing, with investigations currently in progress. As part of Operation Catalyst, a Red Notice was also issued for an individual thought to be behind a sophisticated cryptocurrency scheme which scammed victims of approximately USD 5 million. The scam redirected funds to multiple addresses and centralized exchange platforms to obscure the trail and convert the assets into fiat currency. Investigators believe the case exhibits several traits consistent with known terrorist financing methodologies.