The Australian airline is accused of illegally selling thousands of tickets for flights that had already been cancelled
world1 day ago
Interpol said on Tuesday its largest-ever fire arms swoop across Central and South America resulted in the seizure of thousands of illegal weapons and $5.7 billion worth of drugs after unprecedented cooperation by 15 countries.
The international police organisation added Central and South American authorities had made 14,260 arrests during "Operation Trigger IX", conducted between March 12 and April 2.
"The fact that an operation targeting illicit firearms resulted in such massive drugs seizures is further proof, if needed, that these crimes are intertwined," Interpol Secretary General Juergen Stock said in a statement.
The operation found 8,263 illicit firearms and nearly 306,000 rounds of ammunition, as well as 203 tonnes of drugs and 372 tonnes of drug precursors. Eleven people were rescued in Paraguay when authorities dismantled a human trafficking ring, Interpol said.
It said law enforcement had reported a spike in drug-related violence over the past year, fueled by trafficking of illegal firearms. Its operation also uncovered corruption, fraud, environmental crime and terrorist activities.
The swoop saw participation from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.
The operation comes as Mexico, backed by 16 US states and some Caribbean countries, appeals in a civil lawsuit against US gun manufacturers, seeking to hold them responsible for facilitating the trafficking of weapons across the border.
More than half of "crime guns" recovered and traced in Central America are sourced from the United States, according to US gun control agency ATF. This level nears 70% for Mexico and is around 80% across the Caribbean.
The Australian airline is accused of illegally selling thousands of tickets for flights that had already been cancelled
world1 day ago
The flight, if it succeeds, will become the second private firm to provide crew transport to and from the International Space Station
world1 day ago
The rupee was at 83.4425 against the US dollar as of 08:20 am UAE time, barely changing from its previous session
world1 day ago
Shortly after the attack, an Israeli airstrike hit a house in Rafah killing three people and wounding several
world2 days ago
The rains have also triggered landslides and the partial collapse of a dam
world2 days ago
Around 33 million students will return to schools, which will hold classes on Saturdays until further notice
world2 days ago
To date, the country has delivered more than 31,000 tonnes of urgent humanitarian supplies
world2 days ago
The Prime Minister hardened his rejection of Hamas demands for an end to the Gaza war
world2 days ago