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10 June 2013

INTERPOL STOP operation targets people smuggling networks in Rwanda

KIGALI, Rwanda – An international police operation carried out at Kigali International Airport by Rwanda national police in co-ordination with INTERPOL has seen the verification of thousands of passports in an effort to target criminal networks and illegal immigrants attempting to use fraudulent documents to enter the country.Co-ordinated by INTERPOL’s Tr...

18 March 2013

INTERPOL Chief Libya mission to advance recovery of stolen assets during Gaddafi regime

TRIPOLI, Libya – Identifying how INTERPOL can provide additional assistance in the recovery of assets stolen during the Gaddafi regime and help enhance national and regional security were key issues during a meeting between INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble and Prime Minister Ali Zeidan.With Secretary General Noble also meeting Interior Minister...

07 March 2013

INTERPOL and EU project to enhance border security in Libya takes off

TRIPOLI, Libya – Senior INTERPOL, EU and Libyan officials have inaugurated the connection of an INTERPOL real-time passport control capacity at Tripoli International Airport as part of international efforts to improve Libyan border security.Under INTERPOL’s EUR 2.2 million Project RELINC (Rebuilding Libya’s Investigative Capability) funded by the EU, Liby...

18 February 2013

INTERPOL to support global action plan for rehabilitation of Mali’s cultural sites

PARIS, France – International experts gathered in Paris today to develop a global action plan for the rehabilitation of Mali’s cultural heritage following the recent uprisings that have threatened important cultural sites including the world heritage-listed Timbuktu.Hosted by UNESCO at its Paris headquarters, the International Meeting of Experts on the Sa...

09 February 2013

Congo’s contribution to a safer world recognized by INTERPOL Chief as Africa tour concludes

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo – In an address to high-ranking government and law enforcement officials in the Republic of Congo, INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said the world police body could rely on the country’s contribution towards a safer world.Speaking at the Interior Ministry in Brazzaville, Mr Noble highlighted the Republic of Congo a...

08 February 2013

INTERPOL Chief on visit to DR Congo underlines need for common solutions to cross-border security threats

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – Regional and international collaboration via INTERPOL to assist authorities in DR Congo investigate and prosecute crimes such as human trafficking and war crimes was the focus of the first official visit to the country by INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble.Discussions between the INTERPOL Chief, government...

07 February 2013

South Sudan commitment to combating transnational crime lauded by INTERPOL Head

JUBA, South Sudan – In his first mission to South Sudan, INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said the country’s joining the world police body just 104 days after gaining independence was a clear demonstration of its commitment to the global effort against transnational crime.Addressing senior police and other law enforcement officials, the INTERPOL...

06 February 2013

INTERPOL Chief commends Somalia on police cooperation leading to arrest of escaped murder suspect

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s cooperation with South Sudan via INTERPOL which led to the arrest of a fugitive murder suspect, has been commended by the head of the world police body, Ronald K. Noble, during his first official mission to the country.On 10 October 2012 Somalia was re-connected to INTERPOL's global communications system (I-24/7), enabling t...

05 February 2013

Djibouti Prime Minister pledges support for global police cooperation during INTERPOL Chief visit

DJIBOUTI, Djibouti – Strengthening cooperation to better combat all forms of crime ranging from maritime piracy to trafficking in human beings was the focus of discussions between Djibouti Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita and INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble during his first official visit to the country.“INTERPOL and Djibouti have an impo...

05 February 2013

Africa’s central role in global law enforcement cooperation focus of INTERPOL Chief’s visit

NAIROBI, Kenya - INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble is undertaking a regional visit of Central and Eastern Africa (4-9 February) as part of the world police body’s efforts to boost regional and international police cooperation. With Mr Noble’s visit first taking him to Kenya to meet with its new Inspector General of Police, David Kimaiyo, the...

11 December 2012

INTERPOL President Ballestrazzi addresses Arab Police and Security Chiefs in Algeria

ALGIERS, Algeria – Addressing the 36th Conference of Arab Police and Security Chiefs, INTERPOL President Mireille Ballestrazzi said that their constant efforts made a significant contribution to making the world a safer place for all citizens.On her first official mission since her election last month as INTERPOL President, Madame Ballestrazzi also pointe...

30 November 2012

INTERPOL-supported operation leads to seizure of illegal drugs

BRUSSELS, Belgium – Nearly 40 people have been arrested and EUR 15 million worth of drugs seized during a global operation targeting the trafficking of methamphetamines by air from Africa to Asia.Operation WESTERLIES (16-25 November), organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan Customs and supported by INTERPOL, saw some 100 customs and la...

30 November 2012

Mozambique seeks to enhance environmental security with INTERPOL seminar

MAPUTO, Mozambique ‒ Environmental law enforcement authorities in Mozambique have taken the first step towards improving environmental protection in the country, by holding an INTERPOL National Environmental Security Seminar (NESS).The two-day (19 and 20 November) NESS meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Interior, was attended by officers from seven police...

29 November 2012

INTERPOL and the European Union join forces for security in Libya

LYON, France – Senior Libyan officials from the Ministry of the Interior have attended the first meeting of INTERPOL’s Project RELINC (Rebuilding Libya's Investigative Capability), a European Union-funded initiative to assist Libyan authorities in developing a sustainable capability to identify security threats and investigate criminal and terrorist activ...

28 November 2012

INTERPOL holds inaugural WAPIS workshop

BRUSSELS, Belgium – Sharing and managing police data related to organized crime is the aim of the INTERPOL West African Police Information System (WAPIS) Programme, which held its inaugural workshop on 21-22 November.Developed by INTERPOL, the WAPIS Programme is an EU-funded project initiated during Belgium’s presidency of the Council of the European Unio...

26 November 2012

INTERPOL supports wildlife crime investigations and operations in western Africa

ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire – Developing the skills of law enforcement officers to more effectively prevent and investigate wildlife crime was the focus of an INTERPOL training course in collaboration with Environment Canada and French Gendarmerie Nationale, funded by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).A total of 20 wildlife police officers from...

23 November 2012

Enhanced use of INTERPOL Notices in combating terrorism training in Cameroon

YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – Some 25 law enforcement officials from 10 countries are gathered in Cameroon for a training initiative on enhanced use of INTERPOL’s notices in combating terrorism.During the two-week session (19 – 30 November) organized by INTERPOL’s Capacity Building and Training Directorate, participants from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, C...

22 November 2012

Nearly 400 victims of child trafficking rescued across Burkina Faso in INTERPOL-led operation

OUGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Nearly 400 child trafficking victims, some as young as six years old, forced to work in illegally-operated gold mines and cotton fields have been rescued following an operation by police in Burkina Faso coordinated by INTERPOL.Some 165 police officers, together with officials from customs, social and health services took part in...

17 October 2012

Effective policing can support economic development, Eastern African Police Chiefs meeting told

KAMPALA, Uganda – Integration with communities is essential for police to tackle crime more effectively and will in turn lead to economic growth, the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) heard at a meeting in Kampala.Addressing top police officials from the 12 member countries – Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda...

07 July 2012

New INTERPOL Regional Bureau in Côte d’Ivoire underlines region’s resolve against crime

ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire - INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble has said that the opening of INTERPOL’s new premises for its Regional Bureau in Abidjan symbolizes the commitment of Côte d’Ivoire and West Africa to international law enforcement cooperation.“Since the opening of INTERPOL’s Regional Bureau in Abidjan in 1994, all countries in the region...

26 April 2012

INTERPOL welcomes landmark conviction of Charles Taylor for aiding and abetting war crimes

LYON, France – The conviction of former Liberian President Charles Taylor for offences including aiding and abetting war crimes, crimes against humanity, rape and murder by the Special Court for Sierra Leone has been praised as a ‘landmark’ decision by INTERPOL.The world police body, which had issued a Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, fo...

27 April 2012

International police cooperation focus of Democratic Republic of Congo delegation visit to INTERPOL

LYON, France – Enhanced cooperation with INTERPOL was the focus of a visit to the world police organization’s General Secretariat headquarters by a senior delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo today.The visit, which follows the recent restructuration of the Democratic Republic of Congo national police, saw discussions between the high-ranking p...

23 April 2012

INTERPOL’s rules prohibit publication of Red Notices requested by Egypt for NGO workers

LYON, France – The INTERPOL General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France has refused a request by Egyptian authorities to issue Red Notices, or international wanted persons alerts, for 15 individuals with links to several US-based non governmental organizations (NGOs) after ruling that it would be in violation of the Organization’s regulations.Followi...

05 April 2012

INTERPOL issues Red Notices for former Libyan Minister of Interior and Deputy

LYON, France – At the request of Libya, INTERPOL has issued Red Notices for the former Libyan Minister of Interior, Al-Senussi Alozyre and for Naser Al-Mabrouk who served as his Deputy, who are both accused of a range of offences including carrying out illegal arrests, unjustified deprivation of personal liberty and torture.Details of the two suspects hav...

18 March 2012

INTERPOL Red Notice issued for Gaddafi’s former spy chief Al-Senussi at Libya’s request

LYON, France – At Libya’s request, INTERPOL has issued a Red Notice for Colonel Gaddafi’s former director of military intelligence, Abdullah Al-Senussi for fraud offences including embezzling public funds and misuse of power for personal benefit.The international wanted persons alert for the 62-year-old has been circulated to all 190 INTERPOL member count...

15 March 2012

Libyan Minister of Interior visit to INTERPOL focuses on national and global security issues

LYON, France – Identifying ways to further enhance cooperation with INTERPOL was the focus of a visit by Libya’s Minister of Interior, Fawzi Altaher Abdulaali to the world police body’s General Secretariat headquarters today.Minister Abdulaali met with INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble to discuss a range of law enforcement and security issues, in...

21 February 2012

Combating terrorism and maritime piracy across Horn of Africa focus of INTERPOL training

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania – Enhanced use of INTERPOL’s tools and services to boost member countries’ ability to combat terrorism and maritime piracy across the Horn of Africa and beyond is the focus of an INTERPOL capacity building programme which has opened in Tanzania.The two-week session (20 Feb – 2 Mar) organized by INTERPOL’s Capacity Building and Trai...

10 January 2012

INTERPOL appoints senior Ugandan police officer as its first female director from Africa

LYON, France - The world’s largest international police organization has appointed Ugandan police officer Elizabeth Kuteesa to lead a key department at its General Secretariat headquarters, marking the first appointment of an African woman as an INTERPOL director.Announcing the appointment of Elizabeth Kuteesa as Director of INTERPOL’s National Central Bu...

19 November 2011

INTERPOL Chief welcomes arrest of Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi as milestone for Libyan justice

LYON, France - The arrest of Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi has been welcomed by INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble as an important step forward in the delivery of justice to the people of Libya.The 39-year-old son of Colonel Gaddafi, who is the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice, or international wanted persons alert, issued at the request of the Internati...

17 November 2011

Fighting the spread of counterfeits in western Africa focus of INTERPOL training course

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso - Identifying ways to better combat the escalating problem of counterfeit products across Western African was the focus of a regional training course and operational meeting in Burkina Faso.The four-day event (14-17 November 2011), organized by INTERPOL's Intellectual Property Rights programme, brought together 80 participants fr...

24 October 2011

Anti-piracy initiatives focus of meeting between Somali officials and INTERPOL

LYON, France – Exploring areas for collaboration was the focus of a meeting between delegates from the Somali Anti-Piracy Task Force (APTF) and INTERPOL’s Maritime Piracy Task Force (MPTF) at the world police body’s General Secretariat headquarters.During the four-day discussions (16- 19 October), the two Task Forces identified key areas where more direct...

20 October 2011

INTERPOL and ICC urge Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to turn himself in − call for his safe passage to The Hague

LYON, France – Following the confirmation by the National Transitional Council of Colonel Gaddafi’s death, INTERPOL and the International Criminal Court (ICC) have called for Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi to turn himself in. Both institutions will coordinate with INTERPOL member countries to provide safe passage to The Hague where he is wanted for crimes against...

17 October 2011

Ghanaian Minister visit to INTERPOL focuses on ways to enhance cooperation

LYON, France – With Ghana selected as a pilot country for a number of projects to combat transnational organized crime in West Africa and beyond, identifying additional ways where national law enforcement can work more closely with INTERPOL was the focus of a visit by Ghana’s Minister of Interior to the world police body’s General Secretariat headquarters...

11 October 2011

High-level West African delegation updated on anti-crime initiatives during INTERPOL visit

LYON, France – Senior officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been updated on a series of INTERPOL initiatives aimed at supporting law enforcement throughout the region.Mrs Carmelita Pires Special Adviser to the President of the ECOWAS, Dr Abdel Fatau Musah Director of External Relations and Dr Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Direct...

07 October 2011

Operation Cobra in Western Africa combats pharmaceutical crime with INTERPOL support

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – A regional operation undertaken against counterfeit medicines across Western Africa has resulted in the seizure of at least 10 tons of illicit and fake medicines and more than 100 arrests.Operation Cobra (26 September-2 October) was coordinated by INTERPOL and involved police, national health regulatory and customs authorities...

29 September 2011

The 4th Middle East and North Africa Heads of NCB Meeting

CASABLANCA, Morocco - Senior law enforcement officers and security experts from the Middle East and North Africa gathered in Casablanca (26-28 September 2011) to discuss a range of issues surrounding the use of new technologies in the prevention and investigation of crimes.The opening ceremony commenced with an address by Brahim Bensami, the Deputy Direct...

14 September 2011

Rwanda becomes 150th member country visited by INTERPOL Secretary General

KIGALI, Rwanda – INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble travelled to Rwanda this week in a landmark trip marking a total of 150 member countries visited since he took the helm of the world’s largest police organization.Since his election in 2000, Mr Noble has made it a priority to ensure that the needs of member countries shape the direction of INTERP...

29 August 2011

INTERPOL-supported training aims to curb wildlife trafficking across Southern Africa

GABORONE, Botswana – Law enforcement officers from eleven southern African countries have completed an intensive six-day training course on wildlife law enforcement organized by INTERPOL, designed by Environment Canada and primarily funded by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare).The six-day workshop (22-27 August) was designed to improve gove...

26 August 2011

INTERPOL condemns fatal bombing of United Nations building in Nigeria

LYON, France – INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble has condemned today’s attack on the United Nations compound in Abuja, Nigeria which has left at least 16 people dead and many more wounded.Secretary General Noble said the full resources of the world’s largest police organization were at the disposal of the Nigerian authorities investigating the ca...

06 June 2011

Benin and INTERPOL carry out STOP Operation against people smuggling

COTONOU, Benin – Local law enforcement authorities in co-ordination with INTERPOL have carried out an operation at Cotonou international airport to dismantle criminal networks using stolen or lost travel documents and prevent criminals attempting to use fraudulent documents to enter Benin.Co-ordinated by the INTERPOL Smuggling Training Oper...

25 May 2011

Operation Bia II sees Ghana police rescue 116 children from forced labour in fishing industry with INTERPOL support

ACCRA, Ghana – Police in Ghana have rescued 116 children who had been trafficked to work as forced labourers in the fishing industry along the country’s Volta Lake area, in an operation coordinated by INTERPOL which also resulted in 28 arrests and convictions. The rescued children were aged between 5 and 17.Some 80 Ghanaian law enforcement officers partic...

29 April 2011

INTERPOL condemns Morocco terror attack, offers full support to investigation

LYON, France – INTERPOL has condemned Thursday’s attack on a café in Morocco in which at least 14 people were killed and more than 20 injured, and pledged its full assistance to national authorities in their investigation into the incident.Following the suspected suicide bombing at the Argana café in the main Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakesh, INTERPOL’s...

20 April 2011

INTERPOL-led operations in Africa result in seizures of fakes worth 1.5 million dollars

LYON, France – Operations carried out in Togo and Ghana co-ordinated by INTERPOL have resulted in the seizure of pirated and counterfeit goods worth USD 1.5 million.Products including soup cubes, computer supplies, African fabrics, plastic packaging used for food and water, cigarettes and CDs were recovered by around 100 police, customs and Intellectual P...

15 April 2011

INTERPOL hunt for international fugitives leads to numerous arrests across South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – An INTERPOL operation targeting 207 internationally-wanted fugitives wanted for serious crimes including murder, kidnapping, organized crime and child sexual abuse believed to be hiding in South America has led to arrests across the continent and new investigative leads established for almost a quarter.Investigative leads develop...

11 March 2011

First Arabic INTERPOL Mobile Police Training Programme boosts regional capacity

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Police officers from Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen have taken part in the first ever Arabic session of the INTERPOL Mobile Police Training Programme (IMPTP).The three-week course (5 – 23 March) was held in partnership with the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, covered a range of issues re...

18 February 2011

Pan-African INTERPOL meeting sets course for united action against transnational crime

GABORONE, Botswana – Top law enforcement officials from across Africa have closed INTERPOL’s 21st African Regional Conference by backing a series of measures to boost security across the region and beyond through enhanced co-operation and capacity building.  The international law enforcement gathering endorsed greater concerted regional actions via...

16 February 2011

INTERPOL African conference to boost regional action against transnational crime

GABORONE, Botswana – INTERPOL’s 21st African Regional Conference which opened today will review security priorities for Africa and seek to boost the region’s operations against transnational crime through greater law enforcement co-operation between countries in the region and beyond.With human and drug trafficking, maritime piracy, terrorism, counterfeit...

14 February 2011

Ghana INTERPOL-supported operation leads to counterfeit medical products seizures

ACCRA, Ghana – An operation targeting pharmaceutical crime in Ghana, which included both training and operational support by INTERPOL has led to the seizure of thousands of illegal and fake medicines.Operation Harmattan saw 50 officers from police, customs, health including the Food and Drug Board and the Bureau of Standards agencies carry out a series of...

11 February 2011

Democratic Republic of Congo officially recognizes INTERPOL Travel Document

LYON, France – The Democratic Republic of Congo today became the latest country to officially recognize the INTERPOL Travel Document with the formal presentation of acceptance by a high-level delegation at the General Secretariat headquarters today.Headed by the Director General of Migration, François Beya Kasonga (pictured right) and Central Director of...

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