490 Arrests: Atlas Nexus Crime Crackdown Explained

Operation Atlas Nexus, an international police crackdown led by Belgium, resulted in 490 arrests across 34 countries and the seizure of more than 150 tonnes of drugs. The operation, which began in 2022, targeted criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, firearms trafficking, document fraud, and environmental crime. According to Belgian federal police, the coordinated effort dismantled dozens of criminal organisations in what officials describe as the largest joint operation against organised crime ever conducted between Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

What is Operation Atlas Nexus?

Atlas Nexus is a cross-regional law enforcement initiative coordinated through EMPACT, FRONTEX, and CARICOM IMPACS. It brings together police, customs, and border agencies from Europe and the Americas to disrupt transnational organised crime. The operation's five priority markets were drug trafficking, human trafficking, document fraud, firearms trafficking, and environmental crime. Transnational criminal networks operating across these regions have become increasingly sophisticated, using legitimate trade routes to move illicit goods.

Key Results: Arrests and Seizures

Authorities executed nearly 600 search warrants worldwide, including inspections of aircraft, ships, and containers. The drugs seized were primarily cocaine and cannabis, with more than 150 tonnes confiscated in Latin America and the Caribbean alone.

• 490 suspects arrested, including several fugitives
• 156.9 tonnes of drugs seized, including 37.6 tonnes of cocaine and 118.6 tonnes of cannabis
• 201 firearms and 3,131 rounds of ammunition and explosives recovered
• 468 fraudulent documents confiscated
• 803 animals, both livestock and wildlife, seized
• US$135,000 in cash and cryptocurrency, nearly 1 kg of gold, and 464 pieces of jewellery taken

Major Country Operations

The largest number of arrests took place in Costa Rica, where 375 suspects were detained. This action coincided with one of the country's biggest police operations in history, targeting a transnational network that smuggled cocaine from Colombia through Costa Rica's Caribbean coast to Europe. In Paraguay, authorities seized more than 100 tonnes of cannabis. In Ireland, investigators dismantled laboratories used to process smuggled cocaine, while in French Guiana two illegal gold mines were uncovered. Cocaine trafficking routes through Central America remain a focal point for European and Latin American agencies.

Impact on Organised Crime Networks

The operation underscores a shift toward sustained, intelligence-led policing rather than isolated raids. Belgian Federal Police Director François Farcy said: Thanks to long-term commitment, a major blow has been struck in the fight against serious and organised crime at the international level. The results also highlight the importance of port security and drug interdiction in both Europe and the Americas, where criminal groups exploit weak points in global supply chains.

FAQ: Operation Atlas Nexus Explained

How many people were arrested in Operation Atlas Nexus?

A total of 490 suspects were arrested across 34 countries, with 375 of those arrests in Costa Rica.

Which countries led Operation Atlas Nexus?

Belgium led the operation, working with 34 countries through EMPACT, FRONTEX, and CARICOM IMPACS.

What crimes did Atlas Nexus target?

The operation focused on drug trafficking, human trafficking, document fraud, firearms trafficking, and environmental crime.

How much drugs were seized?

More than 150 tonnes of drugs were seized, including over 37 tonnes of cocaine and 118 tonnes of cannabis.