International
Nearly 500 arrests, 803 animals, and significant drug seizures in major police operation
A large-scale international police operation led by Belgian authorities resulted in 490 arrests across 34 countries, targeting criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, and weapons trade. Costa Rica accounted for 375 of these arrests during its largest-ever anti-smuggling operation against cocaine networks supplying Europe. Authorities seized over 150 tons of drugs, primarily cocaine and cannabis, along with firearms, ammunition, explosives, fake documents, cash, cryptocurrency, gold, jewelry, and 803 animals. Two illegal gold mines were discovered in French Guiana, and eighteen victims were rescued and assisted.
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