Hundreds arrested in organised crime breakthrough

A global law enforcement operation targeting West African organised crime groups, including Black Axe, has led to hundreds of arrests, the seizure of assets worth $3m, and the dismantling of multiple criminal networks around the world. Operation Jackal III, which ran from 10 April to 3 July across 21 countries on five continents, targeted online financial fraud and the West African syndicates behind it. Interpol says the annual operation resulted in about 300 arrests, the identification of over 400 additional suspects, and the blocking of more than 720 bank accounts. ‘The volume of financial fraud stemming from West Africa is alarming and increasing. This operation’s results underscore the critical need for international law enforcement collaboration to combat these extensive criminal networks,’ said Isaac Oginni, Director of Interpol’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre. He added that by identifying suspects, recovering illicit funds and putting some of West Africa’s most dangerous organised crime leaders behind bars, ‘we are able to weaken their influence and reduce their capacity to harm communities around the world’.