Interpol Nets 27.5 Tons of Drugs in Huge C. America Operation

A huge two-week operation by Interpol in Central America and the Caribbean netted 27.5 tons of drugs and saw 50 illegal drug labs and almost 20 jungle airstrips destroyed, the agency said Monday.

Operation Lionfish II also led to the arrest of 422 people and the seizure of a semi-submersible boat and two light aircraft used to transport drugs and weapons. 

Part of Interpol's efforts to combat the most violent organized crime groups in the region, the operation ran from December 1 to 12 and involved 39 countries and territories. 

The drug haul included $1.3 billion (one billion euros) of cocaine as well as large amounts of cannabis and heroin. 

Two unnamed individuals on Interpol's global most-wanted list were arrested in the Dominican Republic and Peru for arms and weapons trafficking.

Some 100 weapons, 7.6 tonnes of chemical precursors and $2.2 million in cash were also seized.

"These officers operate often in dangerous circumstances to confront the insidious impact of organized crime groups in Latin America exploiting Central America’s corridor and sea routes to conduct their illicit activities," said Glyn Lewis, Interpol's director for specialized crime and analysis.

Lionfish II was partly backed financially and operationally by the French interior ministry. Interpol is headquartered in the French city of Lyon.