International Fugitive Hunt Leads to Major Breakthrough
In a significant victory against transnational organized crime, Interpol has announced the successful conclusion of a six-month international operation that resulted in 85 arrests across 17 countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The operation, which ran from June to November 2025, targeted 184 high-priority cases involving some of the world's most dangerous fugitives wanted for violent crimes and connections to international criminal networks.
The coordinated effort involved investigators from 17 nations working together to share intelligence and track down individuals wanted under Interpol Red Notices. According to Interpol's official announcement from its headquarters in Lyon, France, the operation specifically targeted 'the most dangerous fugitives wanted for violent crimes or links to transnational organized crime.'
Breakdown of Arrests and Criminal Charges
The arrests covered a wide range of serious offenses, with 19 individuals wanted for murder, 29 for drug trafficking, 28 for crimes against children, and 7 for rape. Additional arrests were made for human trafficking, money laundering, and other offenses linked to organized crime syndicates. Interpol officials indicated that further arrests were expected as investigations continued.
Among the notable captures was Lissette Ysabel Rojas Guevara, one of Chile's most wanted suspects, who was arrested in Spain. She is believed to be linked to the organized crime group Tren de Aragua and was involved in a sophisticated $150 million cryptocurrency fraud scheme used to launder proceeds from drug trafficking and extortion across Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Iberian Peninsula.
In Portugal, authorities arrested Brazilian national Daniel Zago, allegedly connected to the organized crime group Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC). His arrest disrupted a key cocaine trafficking corridor from São Paulo to Europe. Meanwhile, Albanian national Dritan Gjika was arrested in the United Arab Emirates over alleged cocaine shipments from Ecuador concealed as banana exports.
EU-Funded Project Behind the Success
The operation was conducted under Interpol's support to EL PACCTO 2.0, a European Union-funded project running from January 2024 to December 2026. This €58.8 million initiative enhances police cooperation in fugitive investigations across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The project targets 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries with assistance from four European nations: France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
According to Interpol's project documentation, EL PACCTO 2.0 aims to 'improve efficiency in locating high-value fugitives, strengthen interregional police cooperation, and standardize information exchange.' The initiative builds on the Regional Fugitive Investigative Network (REFINE) established in phase one and utilizes Interpol's INFRA operating model for joint operations.
Targeting Major Criminal Organizations
The operation successfully disrupted several major criminal networks, including MS-13, Albanian organized crime factions, and Comandos de las Fronteras. The crackdown on Tren de Aragua is particularly significant, as this Venezuelan transnational criminal gang has expanded across Latin America and has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Recent U.S. Department of Justice actions have highlighted the severity of Tren de Aragua's operations, with over 70 individuals indicted across five federal districts since January 2025. The gang is involved in violent crimes including murder, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
International Cooperation and Future Implications
The success of this operation demonstrates the power of international police cooperation in combating transnational crime. Interpol, with its 196 member states and headquarters in Lyon, France, serves as the world's largest international police organization, facilitating worldwide police cooperation and crime control.
As one Interpol official noted, 'This operation shows what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions work together with shared intelligence and coordinated action.' The operation also located 18 other wanted individuals who were not immediately arrested but are now under surveillance or investigation.
The EU-funded project behind this operation seeks to establish a permanent international network of fugitive investigators, ensuring that such coordinated efforts can continue beyond individual operations. With organized crime becoming increasingly sophisticated and transnational in nature, such international cooperation frameworks are essential for maintaining global security.
For more information about Interpol's operations, visit Interpol's official news page.