Interpol said on Tuesday that the largest anti-gun operation in Central and South America has led to the seizure of thousands of illegal weapons and drugs worth $5.7 billion. unprecedented cooperation of 15 countries.

The International Police Organization added that the authorities in Central and South America have implemented 14,260 arrests during Operation Trigger IX, ran from March 12 to April 2.

“The fact that a targeted firearms operation led to such massive drug seizures is further proof that these crimes are intertwinedThis was stated by Interpol Secretary General Juergen Stock.

The operation uncovered 8,263 illegal firearms and almost 306,000 rounds of ammunition, as well as 203 tons of drugs and 372 tons of drug precursors. Similarly, 11 people were rescued in Paraguay when the authorities cracked down on a trafficking ring. Interpol.

According to security forces, the past year has seen an increase in drug-related violence fueled by electronicl Illicit trafficking in firearms. The operation also uncovered cases of corruption, fraud, environmental crimes and terrorist activities.

Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

The operation takes place when Mexico supported by 16 US states and some Caribbean countries are filing a civil lawsuit against US arms manufacturers to hold them accountable for facilitating the cross-border arms trade.