IN a significant display of international cooperation, INTERPOL has successfully executed **Operation Screen**, a comprehensive border security initiative in West Africa that has resulted in 45 arrests and the seizure of illicit goods valued at millions of dollars.
This operation, announced this week but which took place from October 21 to November 24, 2024, involved law enforcement agencies from 12 West African countries and aimed to disrupt transnational organised crime networks that threaten regional stability.
Operation Screen was not just a routine crackdown; it was a strategic manoeuvre designed to bolster border security across the region. Frontline officers were equipped with INTERPOL Mobile Devices (IMDs), allowing them to conduct real-time checks against INTERPOL’s extensive databases.
Over 1.3 million checks were performed, revealing a staggering number of individuals travelling on stolen or irregular passports – 82 individuals were flagged during the operation. Additionally, Mauritanian authorities initiated an investigation into the trafficking of French and Spanish passports, highlighting the operation’s far-reaching implications.
The operation yielded substantial seizures, including:
– 1.6 tonnes of cocaine valued at over $50 million in Cabo Verde.
– 10 tonnes of amphetamines confiscated in Burkina Faso.
– 33 types of counterfeit medicines found in Benin and Togo.
– 40 tonnes of substandard pharmaceuticals seized in Côte d’Ivoire.
Moreover, the operation uncovered a network trafficking stolen luxury vehicles, recovering over 100 cars, with nearly half originating from Canada. This revelation underscores how proceeds from these vehicles often fund further criminal activities such as arms smuggling and drug trafficking.
Among the notable arrests was a suspected member of the Islamic State apprehended in the volatile tri-border area of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. This arrest not only highlights the operation’s effectiveness but also its role in thwarting potential threats to global security. Additionally, 11 individuals wanted under INTERPOL Red Notices were captured during this operation, further dismantling organized crime networks operating across borders.
Côte d’Ivoire’s Police Commissaire Divisionnaire Ami Flora Savane Fanny emphasised the importance of international collaboration in combating organized crime:
“By addressing critical challenges that transcend borders, Operation Screen has demonstrated the power of international collaboration in combating the scourges of organized crime and terrorism which undermine the security of our populations.”
Mohamed Moussa, INTERPOL’s Operation Screen Coordinator, reinforced this sentiment:
“This operation marks a critical step in disrupting transnational organized crime networks that threaten regional stability and undermine efforts to build peace and foster development across West Africa.”
Operation Screen stands as a testament to what can be achieved when nations unite against common threats. The success of this initiative not only enhances regional security but also sends a powerful message to organized crime syndicates: their operations will be met with relentless scrutiny and action from law enforcement agencies across borders. As INTERPOL continues to lead such operations, it paves the way for a safer future in West Africa and beyond.
